ly I unfastened my collar--that cursed paper; there it lay. Again it
fascinated me. I stood glaring at it. Oh, fool! fool! go to bed.

Wearily I took off my clothes--Oh, that devilish note! It was burning
into my brain--it would drive me mad. In a frenzy of rage, I took it up
as if it were some leprous thing, and dropped it in the fire.

There I lay in bed with the darkness enfolding me, and I closed my eyes
to make a double darkness. Ha! right in the centre of my eyes, burned
the fatal paper with its atrocious suggestion. I sprang up. It was of no
use. I must settle this thing once and for all. I turned on the light
and deliberately dressed again.

I was going to the hotel where Garry had his room. I would tell him I
had come back unexpectedly and ask to share his room. I was not acting
on the note! I did not suspect her. Heaven forbid! But the thing had
unnerved me. I could not stay in this place.

The hotel was quiet. A sleepy night-clerk stared at me, and I pushed
past him. Garry's rooms were on the third floor. As I climbed the long
stairway, my heart was beating painfully, and when I reached his door I
was sadly out of breath. Through the transom I could see his light was
burning.

I knocked faintly.

There was a sudden stir.

Again I knocked.

Did my ears deceive me or did I hear a woman's startled cry? There was
something familiar about it--Oh, my God!

I reeled. I almost fell. I clutched at the doorframe. I leaned sickly
against the door for support. Heaven help me!

"I'm coming," I heard him say.

The door was unlocked, and there he stood. He was fully dressed. He
looked at me with an expression on his face I could not define, but he
was very calm.

"Come in," he said.

I went into his sitting-room. Everything was in order. I would have
sworn I heard a woman scream, and yet no one was in sight. The bedroom
door was slightly ajar. I eyed it in a fascinated way.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Garry," I said, and I was conscious how
strained and queer my voice sounded. "I got back suddenly, and there's
no one at home. I want to stay here with you, if you don't mind."

"Certainly, old man; only too glad to have you."

His voice was steady. I sat down on the edge of a chair. My eyes were
riveted on that bedroom door.

"Had a good drive?" he went on genially. "You must be cold. Let me give
you some whisky."

My teeth were chattering. I clutched the chair. Oh, that door! My eyes
were fastened on