re was out, the place struck
cold. I staggered towards the easy chair, but the floor seemed suddenly
to heave beneath my feet. I was conscious of the fact that for two days
I had had little to eat, and that my larder was empty. My limbs were
giving way, a mist was before my eyes, and the roar of the sea seemed to
be in my ears, even in my brain. My hands went out like a blind man's,
and I suppose broke my fall. There was rest at least in the
unconsciousness which came down like a black pall upon my senses.

It could only have been a short time before I opened my eyes. Some one
was knocking at the door. Outside I could hear the low panting of a
motor-car, the flashing of brilliant lamps threw a gleam of light across
the floor of my room. Again there came a sharp rapping upon the door.
I raised myself upon my elbow, but I made no attempt at speech. The
motor was the Rowchester Daimler omnibus. What did these people want
with me? I was horribly afraid of being found in such straits. I lay
quite still, and prayed that they might go away.

But my visitor, whoever he was, had apparently no idea of doing anything
of the sort. I heard the latch lifted, and the tall bulky form of a man
filled the threshold. With him came the wind, playing havoc about my
room, sending papers and ornaments flying around in wild confusion. He
closed the door quickly with a little imprecation. I heard the
scratching of a match, saw it carefully shielded in the hollow of the
man's hand. Then it burned clearly, and I knew that I was discovered.

The man was wrapped from head to foot in a huge ulster. He was so tall
that his cap almost brushed my ceiling. I raised myself upon my elbow
and looked at him, looked for the first time at Mostyn Ray. He had the
blackest and the heaviest eyebrows I had ever seen, very piercing eyes,
and a finely shaped mouth, firm even to cruelty. I should have known
him anywhere from the pictures which were filling the newspapers and
magazines. My first impression, I think, was that they had done him but
scanty justice.

As for me, there is no doubt but that I was a pitiful object. Of colour
I had never very much, and my fainting fit could scarcely have improved
matters. My cheeks, I had noticed that morning when shaving, were
hollow, and there were black rims under my eyes. With my disordered
clothing and hair, I must indeed have presented a strange appearance as
I struggled to gain my feet.

He looked at me, as well he