“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 him.

“He—­is—­asleep,” he stammered. “’Asleep!”

Barnes, who had taken the candle from the mantel-piece, stood peering at the sleepers in silence and dropping tallow over the floor.

[Illustration:  “Barnes, stood peering at the sleepers in silence and dropping tallow over the floor.”]

“We must get out of this,” said Meagle.  “Quick!” Barnes hesitated.  “We can’t leave them here—­” he began.

“We must,” said Meagle in strident tones.  “If you go to sleep I shall go—­Quick!  Come.”

He seized the other by the arm and strove to drag him to the door.  Barnes shook him off, and putting the candle back on the mantelpiece, tried again to arouse the sleepers.

“It’s no good,” he said at last, and, turning from them, watched Meagle.  “Don’t you go to sleep,” he said anxiously.