‘I feel as though someone were lying dead in the room,’ she said.

‘Why does not Arthur come?’

They spoke inconsequently, and neither heeded what the other said.  The window was wide open, but the air was difficult to breathe.  And now the silence was so unusual that Susie grew strangely nervous.  She tried to think of the noisy streets in Paris, the constant roar of traffic, and the shuffling of the crowds toward evening as the work people returned to their homes.  She stood up.

‘There’s no air tonight.  Look at the trees.  Not a leaf is moving.’

‘Why does not Arthur come?’ repeated the doctor.

‘There’s no moon tonight.  It will be very dark at Skene.’

‘He’s walked all day.  He should be here by now.’

Susie felt an extraordinary oppression, and she panted for breath.  At last they heard a step on the road outside, and Arthur stood at the window.

‘Are you ready to come?’ he said.

‘We’ve been waiting for you.’

They joined him, bringing the few things that Dr Porhoet had said were necessary, and they walked along the solitary road that led to Skene.  On each side the heather stretched into the dark night, and there was a blackness about it that was ominous.  There was no sound save that of their own steps.  Dimly, under the stars, they saw the desolation with which they were surrounded.  The way seemed very long.  They were utterly exhausted, and they could hardly drag one foot after the other.

‘You must let me rest for a minute,’ said Susie.

They did not answer, but stopped, and she sat on a boulder by the wayside.  They stood motionless in front of her, waiting patiently till she was ready.  After a little while she forced herself to get up.

‘Now I can go,’ she said.

Still they did not speak, but walked on.  They moved like figures in a dream, with a stealthy directness, as though they acted under the influence of another’s will.  Suddenly the road stopped, and they found themselves at the gates of Skene.

‘Follow me very closely,’ said Arthur.

He turned on one side, and they followed a paling.  Susie could feel that they walked along a narrow path.  She could see hardly two steps in front of her.  At last he stood still.

’I came here earlier in the night and made the opening easier to get through.’

He turned back a broken piece of railing and slipped in.  Susie followed, and Dr Porhoet entered after her.

‘I can see nothing,’ said Susie.

‘Give my your hand, and I will lead you.’

They walked with difficulty through the tangled bracken, among closely planted trees.  They stumbled, and once Dr Porhoet fell.  It seemed that they went a long way.  Susie’s heart beat fast with anxiety.  All her weariness was forgotten.

Then Arthur stopped them, and he pointed in front of him.  Through an opening in the trees, they saw the house.  All the windows were dark except those just under the roof, and from them came bright lights.