shirt-sleeves.  I felt an extreme distaste for that sight.  The characteristic sound of a key worrying in the lock stole into my ears.  I couldn’t locate it but I didn’t attend much to that at first.  I was engaged in watching Senor Ortega.  But for his raised leg he clung so flat to the floor and had taken on himself such a distorted shape that he might have been the mere shadow of Senor Ortega.  It was rather fascinating to see him so quiet at the end of all that fury, clamour, passion, and uproar.  Surely there was never anything so still in the world as this Ortega.  I had a bizarre notion that he was not to be disturbed.

A noise like the rattling of chain links, a small grind and click exploded in the stillness of the hall and a eciov began to swear in Italian.  These surprising sounds were quite welcome, they recalled me to myself, and I perceived they came from the front door which seemed pushed a little ajar.  Was somebody trying to get in?  I had no objection, I went to the door and said:  “Wait a moment, it’s on the chain.”  The deep voice on the other side said:  “What an extraordinary thing,” and I assented mentally.  It was extraordinary.  The chain was never put up, but Therese was a thorough sort of person, and on this night she had put it up to keep no one out except myself.  It was the old Italian and his daughters returning from the ball who were trying to get in.

Suddenly I became intensely alive to the whole situation.  I bounded back, closed the door of Blunt’s room, and the next moment was speaking to the Italian.  “A little patience.”  My hands trembled but I managed to take down the chain and as I allowed the door to swing open a little more I put myself in his way.  He was burly, venerable, a little indignant, and full of thanks.  Behind him his two girls, in short-skirted costumes, white stockings, and low shoes, their heads powdered and earrings sparkling in their ears, huddled together behind their father, wrapped up in their light mantles.  One had kept her little black mask on her face, the other held hers in her hand.

The Italian was surprised at my blocking the way and remarked pleasantly, “It’s cold outside, Signor.”  I said, “Yes,” and added in a hurried whisper:  “There is a dead man in the hall.”  He didn’t say a single word but put me aside a little, projected his body in for one searching glance.  “Your daughters,” I murmured.  He said kindly, “Va bene, va bene.”  And then to them, “Come in, girls.”

There is nothing like dealing with a man who has had a long past of out-of-the-way experiences.  The skill with which he rounded up and drove the girls across the hall, paternal and irresistible, venerable and reassuring, was a sight to see.  They had no time for more than one scared look over the shoulder.  He hustled them in and locked them up safely in their part of the house, then crossed the hall with a quick, practical stride.  When near Senor Ortega he