lace was silent, dark, and
deserted. The music had gone, the shuffling of footsteps on the stairs
had ceased, the hum of voices had died away. All was so quiet that my
own breathing sounded loud and noisy.

I rubbed my eyes and looked round. Yes, I was on the same seat, but not
a soul was left in the place--only I--I and the wax figures.

The lights were out, all except one solitary gas-jet over the door of
the Chamber of Horrors, which sent a flickering gleam my way, and danced
weirdly in and out among the motionless images around me. It was not a
comfortable position to be in, and I confess I did not like it. Of
course a wax image in the dark is the same as a wax image in the day.
Still, thought I, I would sooner be outside, and--

What was it made me stop short, and sit up in my seat, petrified, and
with the blood curdling in my veins?

My eyes, while I meditated, had turned towards William the Conqueror, to
whom, as I have already said, I had been in the act of nodding in a
friendly way when I dropped asleep.

To my horror, I now perceived that he was, in a most unmistakable
manner, nodding at me! Yes, by the feeble light I could see, not only
his head move, but even his eyes too! I was helpless and speechless. I
could no more move, or call out, or take my eyes off him, than if I had
been a wax figure myself.

Presently I saw his hands move slowly to the arms of his chair, and
then, keeping his eyes still on me, he rose to his feet. I could hear
the clank of the sword against his greaves as he stepped off his
platform on to the floor of the hall and advanced a step towards me.
Then, as I sat quaking there, I felt his eyes upon mine, and knew that
he was staring at me from head to toe.

By a superhuman effort I dug my fingers into the plush of the sofa, and
ejaculated a frantic "Oh!"

The cry resounded fearfully through the building, and seemed to wake
echoes which certainly had nothing in common with my voice. It was as
if every one in the place had suddenly caught sight of me at the same
moment and was giving vent to his or her astonishment.

I had better have remained silent! For, as I gave one scared look
round, I saw King John lay down his pen, and, rising hastily, walk
towards me. He scowled viciously at me, and then, as I collapsed in a
heap on to the floor, I saw him turn inquiringly to William the
Conqueror.

Whatever the question he asked was, William answered it in the
affirmative,