udgment, Masters. You have heard Mr. May upon this terrible subject,
and should be convinced, as I am."

Masters was very guarded.

"It's not for me to pass an opinion, Sir Walter. But the reverend
gentleman, no doubt, understands such things. Only there's the Witch
of Endor, if I may mention the creature, she fetched up more than she
bargained for. And I remember a proverb as I heard in India, from
a Hindoo. I've forgot the lingo now, but I remember the sense. They
Hindoos say that if you knock long enough at a closed door, the devil
will open it--excuse my mentioning such a thing; but Hindoos are awful
wise."

"And what then, Masters? I know not who may open the door of this
mystery; but this I know, that, in the Name of the Most High God, I can
face whatever opens it."

"I ain't particular frightened neither, your reverence," said Masters.
"But I wouldn't chance it alone, being about average sinful and not near
good enough to tackle that unknown horror hid up there single-handed.
I'd chance it, though, in high company like yours. And that's
something."

"It is, Masters, and much to your credit," declared Sir Walter. "For
that matter, I would do the like. Indeed, I am willing to accompany Mr.
May."

While Septimus May shook his head and Mary trembled, the butler spoke
again.

"But there's nobody else in this house would. Not even Fred Caunter, who
doesn't know the meaning of fear, as you can testify, Sir Walter.
But he's fed up with the Grey Room, if I may say so, and so's the
housekeeper, Mrs. Forbes, and so's Jane Bond. Not that they would desert
the ship; but there's others that be going to do so. I may mention that
four maids and Jackson intend to give notice to-morrow. Ann Maine, the
second housemaid, has gone to-night. Her father fetched her. Excuse me
mentioning it, but Mrs. Forbes will give you the particulars to-morrow,
if you please."

"Hysteria," declared Sir Walter. "I don't blame them. It is natural.
Everybody is free to go, if they desire to do so. But tell them what you
have heard to-night, Masters. Tell them that no good Christian need fear
to rest in peace. Explain that Mr. May will presently enter the Grey
Room in the name of God; and bid them pray on their knees for him before
they go to sleep."

Masters hesitated.

"All the same, I very much wish the reverend gentleman would give
Scotland Yard a chance. If they fall, then he can wipe their eye
after--excuse my language, Sir Walter. I