hedges. One of the French windows was wide open. There was no one on
the lawn; there was no sound.

"Mrs. M'Gregor swears that I always forget to shut these windows at
night!" he muttered.

He closed and bolted the window, stood for a moment looking out across
the empty lawn, then turned and went out of the room.




CHAPTER II

THE PIBROCH OF THE M'GREGORS


Dr. Stuart awoke in the morning and tried to recall what had occurred
during the night. He consulted his watch and found the hour to be six
a. m. No one was stirring in the house, and he rose and put on a
bath robe. He felt perfectly well and could detect no symptoms of
nervous disorder. Bright sunlight was streaming into the room, and
he went out on to the landing, fastening the cord of his gown as he
descended the stairs.

His study door was locked, with the key outside. He remembered having
locked it. Opening it, he entered and looked about him. He was
vaguely disappointed. Save for the untidy litter of papers upon the
table, the study was as he had left it on retiring. If he could
believe the evidence of his senses, nothing had been disturbed.