‘Bend down,’ he said.  ‘Bend down.’

All that had happened came back to her, and she burst into tears.  Her self-control deserted her, and, clinging to him for protection, she sobbed as though her heart would break.  She was shaking from head to foot.  The strangeness of this last horror had overcome her, and she could have shrieked with fright.

‘It’s all right,’ he said.  ‘You need not be afraid.’

‘Oh, what does it mean?’

‘You must pluck up courage.  We’re going now to Skene.’

She sprang to her feet, as though to get away from him; her heart beat wildly.

‘No, I can’t; I’m frightened.’

’We must see what it means.  We have no time to lose, or the morning will be upon us before we get back.’

Then she sought to prevent him.

’Oh, for God’s sake, don’t go, Arthur.  Something awful may await you there.  Don’t risk your life.’

‘There is no danger.  I tell you the man is dead.’

‘If anything happened to you ...’

She stopped, trying to restrain her sobs; she dared not go on.  But he seemed to know what was in her mind.

’I will take no risks, because of you.  I know that whether I live or die is not a—­matter of indifference to you.’

She looked up and saw that his eyes were fixed upon her gravely.  She reddened.  A curious feeling came into her heart.

‘I will go with you wherever you choose,’ she said humbly.

‘Come, then.’

They stepped out into the night.  And now, without rain, the storm had passed away, and the stars were shining.  They walked quickly.  Arthur went in front of them.  Dr Porhoet and Susie followed him, side by side, and they had to hasten their steps in order not to be left behind.  It seemed to them that the horror of the night was passed, and there was a fragrancy in the air which was wonderfully refreshing.  The sky was beautiful.  And at last they came to Skene.  Arthur led them again to the opening in the palisade, and he took Susie’s hand.  Presently they stood in the place from which a few days before they had seen the house.  As then, it stood in massive blackness against the night and, as then, the attic windows shone out with brilliant lights.  Susie started, for she had expected that the whole place would be in darkness.

‘There is no danger, I promise you,’ said Arthur gently.  ’We are going to find out the meaning of all this mystery.’

He began to walk towards the house.

‘Have you a weapon of some sort?’ asked the doctor.

Arthur handed him a revolver.

’Take this.  It will reassure you, but you will have no need of it.  I bought it the other day when—­I had other plans.’

Susie gave a little shudder.  They reached the drive and walked to the great portico which adorned the facade of the house.  Arthur tried the handle, but it would not open.

‘Will you wait here?’ he said.  ’I can get through one of the windows, and I will let you in.’