object with huge and flashing
eyes and what looked like an elephant's trunk descending from between
them. The watchers, wearing hoods and gas masks, resembled the fantastic
demons of a Salvator Rosa, or Fuselli. Their chief now accosted the
doctor somewhat sharply. He knew his name and received his apology,
but bade him leave the corridor at once. "I must, however, search you
first," said Frith. "You were wrong to come," he continued. "This is no
time to distract us. Explain to-morrow, please."

The doctor, after holding up his hands and submitting to a very close
scrutiny, departed and swore at his own inadvertence. He had forgotten
that, in common with everybody else involved, he must bear the brunt of
suspicion, and he perceived that his approach to the Grey Room, after it
was clearly understood that none should on any account attempt to do
so, must attract unpleasant attention to himself. And he could offer no
better excuse than that he had forgotten the order. He apprehended an
unpleasantness on the following day, and wondered at himself that he
could have done anything so open to question. Brain fag was a poor
excuse, but he had none better.

In an hour he returned to Sir Walter, hoping to find him asleep; but the
master of Chadlands was still reading, and in a frame of mind very quiet
and peaceful. He regretted the forgetfulness that had taken his friend
into the forbidden gallery.

"I am concerned for Mary," he said. "She is only keeping up at a
terrible cost of nervous power. It is more than time that she was away;
but she will not go until I am able to accompany her."

"It should not be long. We must hope they will get to the bottom of it
soon, if not to-night. I am most anxious for both of you to be off."

"We design to go to Italy. She shrinks from the Riviera and longs for
Florence, or some such peaceful place."

"It will be cold there."

"Cold won't hurt us."

"Shall you shut up Chadlands?"

"Impossible. It is the only home of half my elder people. But, if
nothing is discovered and we are still left without an explanation,
I shall seal the Grey Room--windows, door, and hearth--unless the
authorities direct otherwise. I wish I could fill the place with solid
stone or concrete, so that it would cease to be a room at all."

"That you can't do," answered the practical doctor. "Such a weight would
bring down the ceiling beneath. But you can make it fast and block it up
if the thing beats them."

"