The door of Gentilis' room was shut; probably he was asleep.

That at the foot of the staircase was also shut.

Claude stood a moment, frowning; then he crossed the floor towards the staircase door.

But though his mind was fixed, the spell of the other's excitement told on him: the flicker of the rushlight made him start; and half-way across the room a sound at his elbow brought him up as if he had been stabbed.

He turned his head, expecting to find the big man's eyes bent on him from some corner.