Words failed me altogether.  At that we stood in the passage for some moments in silence; then: 

“We have got to risk it,” said Gatton, “if my theory is to be put to the test”

“Risk it?”

“Oh!  I can assure you of the risk,” he declared.  “It will be touch-and-go.  Are you game?”

“Well,” I said, laughing in a very forced fashion, “this has been a night of such intense surprises that I think I can survive one more.”

“Very well,” replied the Inspector; and there was something strange in hearing the familiar voice and dimly discerning in the reflected moonlight, which shone in at a window further along the passage, the unfamiliar figure before me.

“What have we to do?”

“We have to take a chance of sudden death!” he answered, “but we will minimize it as much as possible.”

Seeing me about to give voice to one of the many questions which literally burned upon my tongue: 

“Explanations can come later,” said he.  “Where can I find a candle?”

“There is one on the dressing-table just to the left of the window.  I will get it—­”

But he grasped my arm roughly, and: 

“This is my business!  Wait here for me,” he rapped tersely.

He heard the rasp of the match upon the box, as I struck a light to guide him in his search.  Whereupon: 

“I thought I warned you!” he cried, and struck the match from my hand. “No light!”

With that he pushed open the door, and I saw his square figure outlined against the moon-bright open window as he crossed the room.  Since he had referred to the peril which hung over us, it was with bated breath that I awaited his return, not in the least knowing what to expect.  A few moments later he returned with the candlestick.

“Now,” said he, carefully reclosing the door, “light the candle.”

Awed by something in his voice and manner, I did as he directed without demur, noting with amazement, in the light thus created, how simple yet how effective was the disguise which my friend had adopted.

He gave me no time for comment, however, but: 

“Listen,” said he.  “I’m going to put this candle in your room and then you and I are going to run.”

“Run?” I cried.

“Exactly.  Run for our lives!  Preferably upstairs.  Is there any vacant room above from which we can look out in the same direction as from your window?”

“The room above is vacant,” I replied, “and probably we shall find the door unlocked.”

“We’ll risk that, then,” said Gatton.  “You might start and lead the way.”

“Can I use my electric torch?” I asked.

“On the stairs,” replied Gatton; “but you must extinguish it when we enter the room above.”

With that he thrust open the door of my bedroom, ran in and ran out again, banging the door behind him as though pursued by devils!