unless necessity arises. Don't tell Mary."

Sir Walter beckoned the footman, bade him get some tools and ascend
quickly to the Grey Room. He then went up beside his nephew, while
Fred, bristling with excitement, hastened to the toolroom. He was
a handy man, had been at sea during the war, and now returned to
his old employment. His slow brain moved backwards, and he
remembered that this was a task he had already performed ten or
more years before. Then the ill-omened chamber had revealed a
dead woman. Who was in it now? Caunter guessed readily enough.

Lennox spoke to his uncle as they approached the locked door.

"It was only a lark, just to clear the room of its bad character
and have a laugh at your expense this morning. But I'm afraid
he's ill--fainted or something. He turned in about one o'clock.
I was rather bothered, and couldn't explain to myself why, but--"

"Don't chatter!" answered the other. "You have both done a very
wrong thing and should have respected my wishes."

At the door he called loudly.

"Let us in at once, Tom, please! I am much annoyed! If this is a
jest, it has gone far enough--and too far! I blame you severely!"

But none replied. Absolute silence held the Grey Room.

Then came the footman with a frail of tools. The task could not
be performed in a moment, and Sir Walter, desirous above all things