h."

"Look here!" said Barnes. "What do you say to going back? I've had
enough of this. I keep fancying that I hear things too; sounds of
something moving about in the passage outside. I know it's only fancy,
but it's uncomfortable."

"You go if you want to," said Meagle, "and we will play dummy. Or you
might ask the tramp to take your hand for you, as you go downstairs."

Barnes shivered and exclaimed angrily. He got up and, walking to the
half-closed door, listened.

"Go outside," said Meagle, winking at the other two. "I'll dare you to
go down to the hall door and back by yourself."

Barnes came back and, bending forward, lit his pipe at the candle.

"I am nervous but rational," he said, blowing out a thin cloud of smoke.
"My nerves tell me that there is something prowling up and down the long
passage outside; my reason tells me that it is all nonsense. Where are
my cards?"

He sat down again, and taking up his hand, looked through it carefully
and led.

"Your play, White," he said after a pause. White made no sign.

"Why, he is asleep," said Meagle. "Wake up, old man. Wake up and play."

Lester, who was sitting next to him, took the sleeping man by the arm and
shook him, gently at first and then with some roughness; but White, with
his back against the wall and his head bowed, made no sign. Meagle
bawled in his ear and then turned a puzzled face to the others.

"He sleeps like the dead," he said, grimacing. "Well, there are still
three of us to keep each other company."

"Yes," said Lester, nodding. "Unless--Good Lord! suppose----"

He broke off and eyed them trembling.

"Suppose what?" inquired Meagle.

"Nothing," stammered Lester. "Let's wake him. Try him again. _White!
White!_"

"It's no good," said Meagle seriously; "there's something wrong about
that sleep."

"That's what I meant," said Lester; "and if he goes to sleep like that,
why shouldn't----"

Meagle sprang to his feet. "Nonsense," he said roughly. "He's tired
out; that's all. Still, let's take him up and clear out. You take his
legs and Barnes will lead the way with the candle. Yes? Who's that?"

He looked up quickly towards the door. "Thought I heard somebody tap,"
he said with a shamefaced laugh. "Now, Lester, up with him. One, two--
Lester! Lester!"

He sprang forward too late; Lester, with his face buried in his arms, had
rolled over on the floor fast asleep, and his utmost efforts failed to
awaken