CHAPTER XXVII.
THE LAUGH IN THE NIGHT Tarling gave one glance before he turned to the girl, who was endeavouring to push past him, and catching her by the arm gently thrust her back into the passage.
"What is wrong?
What is wrong ?" she asked in a terrified whisper.

"Oh, let me go to mother." She struggled to escape from his grip, but he held her firmly.
"You must be brave, for your own sake--for everybody's sake," he entreated her.
Still holding her arm, he forced her to the door of the second inner room.

His hand felt for the electric switch and found it.
He was in what appeared to be a spare bedroom, plainly furnished, and from this a door led, apparently into the main building.
"Where does that door lead ?" he asked, but she did not appear to hear him.
"Mother, mother!" she was moaning, "what has happened to my mother ?" "Where does that door lead ?" he asked again, and for answer she slipped her trembling hand into her pocket and produced a key.
He opened the door and found himself in a rectangular gallery overlooking the hall.
She slipped past him, but he caught her and pushed her back.
"I tell you, you must be calm, Odette," he said firmly, "you must not give way.

Everything depends upon your courage.

Where are the servants ?" Then, unexpectedly, she broke away from him and raced back through the door into the wing they had left.