"Do you remember, sir," asked Adam, "what was the appearance of the room
where the well-hole was? Was there furniture--in fact, any sort of thing
in the room?"

"The only thing I remember was a sort of green light--very clouded, very
dim--which came up from the well. Not a fixed light, but intermittent
and irregular--quite unlike anything I had ever seen."

"Do you remember how you got into the well-room? Was there a separate
door from outside, or was there any interior room or passage which opened
into it?"

"I think there must have been some room with a way into it. I remember
going up some steep steps; they must have been worn smooth by long use or
something of the kind, for I could hardly keep my feet as I went up. Once
I stumbled and nearly fell into the well-hole."

"Was there anything strange about the place--any queer smell, for
instance?"

"Queer smell--yes! Like bilge or a rank swamp. It was distinctly
nauseating; when I came out I felt as if I had just been going to be
sick. I shall try back on my visit and see if I can recall any more of
what I saw or felt."

"Then perhaps, sir, later in the day you will tell me anything you may
chance to recollect."

"I shall be delighted, Adam. If your uncle has not returned by then,
I'll join you in the study after dinner, and we can resume this