“For a time further, I worked, stretching ribbons across the floor, and sealing them, so that the merest touch would have broken them, were anyone to venture into the room in the dark with the intention of playing the fool.  All this had taken me far longer than I had anticipated; and, suddenly, I heard a clock strike eleven.  I had taken off my coat soon after commencing work; now, however, as I had practically made an end of all that I intended to do, I walked across to the settee, and picked it up.  I was in the act of getting into it, when the old butler’s voice (he had not said a word for the last hour) came sharp and frightened:—­’Come out, sir, quick!  There’s something going to happen!’ Jove! but I jumped, and then, in the same moment, one of the candles on the table to the left went out.  Now whether it was the wind, or what, I do not know; but, just for a moment, I was enough startled to make a run for the door; though I am glad to say that I pulled up, before I reached it.  I simply could not bunk out, with the butler standing there, after having, as it were, read him a sort of lesson on ‘bein’ brave, y’know.’  So I just turned right ’round, picked up the two candles off the mantelpiece, and walked across to the table near the bed.  Well, I saw nothing.  I blew out the candle that was still alight; then I went to those on the two tables, and blew them out.  Then, outside of the door, the old man called again:—­’Oh! sir, do be told!  Do be told!’

“‘All right, Peter,’ I said, and by Jove, my voice was not as steady as I should have liked!  I made for the door, and had a bit of work not to start running.  I took some thundering long strides, as you can imagine.  Near the door, I had a sudden feeling that there was a cold wind in the room.  It was almost as if the window had been suddenly opened a little.  I got to the door, and the old butler gave back a step, in a sort of instinctive way.  ‘Collar the candles, Peter!’ I said, pretty sharply, and shoved them into his hands.  I turned, and caught the handle, and slammed the door shut, with a crash.  Somehow, do you know, as I did so, I thought I felt something pull back on it; but it must have been only fancy.  I turned the key in the lock, and then again, double-locking the door.  I felt easier then, and set-to and sealed the door.  In addition, I put my card over the keyhole, and sealed it there; after which I pocketed the key, and went downstairs—­with Peter; who was nervous and silent, leading the way.  Poor old beggar!  It had not struck me until that moment that he had been enduring a considerable strain during the last two or three hours.

“About midnight, I went to bed.  My room lay at the end of the corridor upon which opens the door of the Grey Room.  I counted the doors between it and mine, and found that five rooms lay between.  And I am sure you can understand that I was not sorry.  Then, just as I was beginning to undress, an idea came to me, and I took my candle and sealing wax, and sealed the doors of all five rooms.  If any door slammed in the night, I should know just which one.