curiously enough, I
recollect nothing else.

But stay! Yes, I do.

I remember seeing, as though rising from out a hazy grey mist, a woman's
face--the countenance of a very pretty girl, about eighteen, with big
blue wide-open eyes and very fair silky hair--a girl, whose eyes bore in
them a hideous look of inexpressible horror.

Next instant the blackness of unconsciousness fell upon me.

When I recovered I was amazed to find myself in bed, with the yellow
wintry sunlight streaming into the low, old-fashioned room. For some
time--how long I know not--I lay there staring at the diamond-paned
window straight before me, vaguely wondering what had occurred.

A sound at last struck the right chord of my memory--the sound of my
host's voice exclaiming cheerily:

"How do you feel, old chap? Better, I hope, after your long sleep. Do
you know it's nearly two o'clock in the afternoon?"

Two o'clock!

After a struggle I succeeded in sitting up in bed.

"What occurred?" I managed to gasp. "I--I don't exactly remember."

"Why nothing, my dear fellow," declared my friend, laughing. "You were a
bit tired last night, that's all. So I thought I wouldn't disturb you."

"Where's Bennett?"

"Downstairs with the car, waiting till you feel quite right again."

I then realised for the first time that I was still dressed. Only my
boots and collar and tie had been removed.

Much puzzled, and wondering whether it were actually possible that I had
taken too much wine, I rose to my feet and slowly assumed my boots.

Was the man standing before me a friend, or was he an enemy?

I recollected most distinctly sampling the brandy, but beyond
that--absolutely nothing.

At my host's orders Henry brought me up a refreshing cup of tea and
after a quarter of an hour or so, during which Sandford declared that
"such little annoying incidents occur in the life of every man," I
descended and found Bennett waiting with the car before the door.

As I grasped my host's hand in farewell he whispered confidentially.

"Let's say nothing about it in future. I'll call and see you in town in
a week or two--if I may."

Mechanically I declared that I should be delighted, and mounting into
the car we glided down the drive to the road.

My brain was awhirl, and I was in no mood to talk. Therefore I sat with
the frosty air blowing upon my fevered brow as we travelled back to
Colchester.

"I didn't know you intended staying the night, sir," Bennett v