withdrawn.

He could have sworn that he heard the scurrying of feet in the room.
Bathed in perspiration he made a leap for the electric light.

But there was no sign of any human presence. The barricade at the door
was undisturbed. But fear like a great wind filled the wings of his
soul.

Yet there was nothing, nothing to warrant his conviction that Reginald
Clarke had been with him only a few moments ago, plying his horrible
trade. The large mirror above the fireplace only showed him his own
face, white, excited,--the face of a madman.

XXIX

The next morning's mail brought a letter from Ethel, a few lines of
encouragement and affection. Yes, she was right; it would not do for him
to stay under one roof with Reginald any longer. He must only obtain the
manuscript and, if possible, surprise him in the attempt to exercise his
mysterious and criminal power. Then he would be in the position to
dictate terms and to demand Jack's safety as the price of his silence.

Reginald, however, had closeted himself that day in his studio busily
writing. Only the clatter of his typewriter announced his presence in
the house. There was no chance for conversation or for obtaining the
precious manuscript of "Leontina."

Meanwhile Ernest was looking over his papers and preparing everything
for a quick departure. Glancing over old letters and notes, he became
readily interested and hardly noticed the passage of the hours.

When the night came he only partly undressed and threw himself upon the
bed. It was now ten. At twelve he had promised Ethel to speak to her
over the telephone. He was determined not to sleep at all that night. At
last he would discover whether or not on the previous and other nights
Reginald had secretly entered his room.

When one hour had passed without incident, his attention relaxed a
little. His eyes were gradually closing when suddenly something seemed
to stir at the door. The Chinese vase came rattling to the floor.

At once Ernest sprang up. His face had blanched with terror. It was
whiter than the linen in which they wrap the dead. But his soul was
resolute.

He touched a button and the electric light illuminated the whole
chamber. There was no nook for even a shadow to hide. Yet there was no
one to be seen. From without the door came no sound. Suddenly something
soft touched his foot. He gathered all his will power so as not to
break out into a frenzied shriek. Then he laughed, not a heart