had fallen, and lay flat on the shelves. Here and
there I saw empty spaces from which books had been removed and not
replaced. In short, there was no discouraging uniformity in these higher
regions of the book-case. The untidy top shelves looked suggestive of
some lucky accident which might unexpectedly lead the way to success. I
decided, if I did examine the book-case at all, to begin at the top.

Where was the library ladder?

I had left it against the partition wall which divided the back room
from the room in front. Looking that way, I necessarily looked also
toward the door that ran in grooves--the imperfectly closed door through
which I heard Major Fitz-David question his servant on the subject of
my personal appearance when I first entered the house. No one had moved
this door during the time of my visit. Everybody entering or leaving the
room had used the other door, which led into the hall.

At the moment when I looked round something stirred in the front room.
The movement let the light in suddenly through the small open space left
by the partially closed door. Had somebody been watching me through the
chink? I stepped softly to the door, and pushed it back until it was
wide open. There was the Major, discovered in the front room! I saw it
in his face--he had been watching me at the book-case!

His hat was in his hand. He was evidently going out; and he dexterously
took advantage of that circumstance to give a plausible reason for being
so near the door.

"I hope I didn't frighten you," he said.

"You startled me a little, Major."

"I am so sorry, and so ashamed! I was just going to open the door, and
tell you that I am obliged to go out. I have received a pressing message
from a lady. A charming person--I should so like you to know her. She
is in sad trouble, poor thing. Little bills, you know, and nasty
tradespeople who want their money, and a husband--oh, dear me, a husband
who is quite unworthy of her! A most interesting creature. You remind
me of her a little; you both have the same carriage of the head. I shall
not be more than half an hour gone. Can I do anything for you? You are
looking fatigued. Pray let me send for some more champagne. No? Promise
to ring when you want it. That's right! _Au revoir_, my charming
friend--_au revoir!_"

I pulled the door to again the moment his back was turned, and sat down
for a while to compose myself.

He had been watching me at the book-case! The man who