scrap of candle left sputtered feebly, and, after walking across the
floor a half-dozen times, striving to gain control of my temper, I blew
it out, and crawled into the bunk. There was nothing I could do, but wait
for morning; not a sound reached me from without, and, before I realized
the possibility, I was fast asleep.

I must have slept long and soundly, for when I finally awoke a gleam of
sun lay the full length of the room, and food was upon the table. Some
one--Peter, no doubt--had entered and departed without arousing me. Well,
it was apparent there was no intention of ill-treating me beyond the
restraint of imprisonment, for the breakfast served was ample and well
cooked. Sleep had left me in a pleasanter frame of mind, and I ate
heartily, wondering vaguely what the day would disclose. I determined one
thing, that when Peter returned for the dishes, I would back him into a
corner and choke at least a portion of the truth out of his unwilling
throat. I had hardly reached this decision when the door opened, and he
stood there gazing at me with sphinx-like stupidity. I arose to my feet,
gripping the back of a chair, but the utter vacancy in that face seemed
to numb action. There was no positive expression, no dim glimmer of
interest in his features; the shining bald head alone gave him a
grotesque appearance, restraining me from violence. I could as easily
have warred with a baby.

"I trust, sir, you slept well," he said soothingly, "and that the service
is satisfactory."

I choked back my indignation, the quiet deference of his manner causing
me to feel like a brute.

"Nothing could be added to my happiness," I answered, "unless it might be
a little information which you seem disinclined to furnish."

He waved one hand, as though brushing calmly aside some imagined insect.

"Disinclined? Oh, no, sir; there is nothing to conceal, sir, I assure
you."

"Then, for God's sake, let it out of your system, man!" I burst forth
impatiently. "Whom am I a prisoner to? What am I held for? What sort of
treatment is this I am receiving?"

Peter bowed, without the tremor of an eyelash.

"Do not mention it, sir," he murmured smoothly; "we are only too proud to
have you as our guest at Elmhurst. It has been very quiet here now for
some weeks, sir, and your coming was welcome to us all."

I could only stare at the fellow with open mouth, so dumbfounded as to be
speechless. Of all the idiots I had ever met he was the wors