the
impregnable shutters and bars inside, and it would have seemed that the
inmates of the House by the Lock were prepared to stand a siege.

Whether it was Karine whom I believed I had heard weeping or not, I
could not be sure. I could not even have taken my oath that there had
been such a sound at all, but I was morally certain of it.

I ran round the house, trying in vain to batter in another door, and was
met everywhere by silence and darkness. At the side, however, I came at
last upon the extension with the tower, whence I had seen the suspicious
smoke and flame pouring on that memorable Christmas afternoon. Over the
roof of the low "studio," which possessed no windows, I could see a
faint yellow glow, like a luminous halo or crown, and suddenly, as I
stood regarding it in some bewilderment, I recollected the skylight
which I had observed from within.

If I could in some way climb to the top, break through the glass and let
myself down, the problem as to how I should get into the house would be
effectually solved.

It now struck me that the studio, as seen from outside, was
disproportionately large compared with the room inside, as I remembered
it. There had been only the one, which apparently constituted the sole
purpose of the building, and yet it appeared to me that there might have
been space for two of the same small size.

Low as the erection was it was too high for me to climb, and I began
hastily looking about for some means of assistance in carrying out my
plan.

In the coach-house, I thought, there might be a ladder, and thither I
repaired without delay. But the doors were padlocked, and try them as I
might I could not open them.

What was I to do? The more difficulties which encumbered my path, the
more did I determine to surmount them. Returning towards the house I
noticed a large rustic seat placed under an ancient apple tree, and it
occurred to me that if I could balance the article against the
projection of the building I might, by standing it on end, use it as an
improvised ladder. If I could only mount for a certain distance I could
pull myself up by the ledge of stonework which ran along the edge of the
flat roof.

The light which apparently filtered through the skylight had warned me
to be cautious in my movements. Whoever was in the house must have known
long ago that someone was determined upon forcing an entrance, but,
judging by the laughing taunts of the servant, it would be believ