.. and the doors, both front and back are locked. The keys
are here!"
Desmond heard a jingle as Strangwise slapped his pocket.
"All the same," the latter went on, "it is as well to be prepared
for a sudden change of quarters. That's why I want you to finish
off the girl at once. Come along, we'll start now..."
"No, no!" declared Bellward. "I'm far too upset. You seem to
think you can turn me on and off like you do the gas!"
"Well, as you like," said Strangwise, "but the sooner we clear up
this thing the better. I'm going to see if our clever young
friend has taken refuge in the servants' quarters upstairs. He's
not on this floor, that's certain!"
Desmond drew back in terror. He heard the green baize door on the
floor below swing back as Strangwise went out to the back stairs
and Bellward's heavy step ascended the main staircase. There was
something so horribly sinister in that firm, creaking tread as it
mounted towards him that for the moment he lost his head. He
looked round wildly for a place of concealment; but the corridor
was bare. Facing him was the red enamel door. Boldly he turned
the handle and walked in, softly closing the door behind him.
It was as though he had stepped into another world. The room in
which he found himself was a study in vivid red emphasized by
black.
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