"Villiers! Think what you are saying; there must be
some mistake. How could Crashaw be in Mrs. Beaumont's house at
two o'clock in the morning? Surely, surely, you must have been
dreaming, Villiers; you were always rather fanciful."

"No; I was wide awake enough. Even if I had been
dreaming as you say, what I saw would have roused me
effectually."

"What you saw? What did you see? Was there anything
strange about Crashaw? But I can't believe it; it is
impossible."

"Well, if you like I will tell you what I saw, or if
you please, what I think I saw, and you can judge for yourself."

"Very good, Villiers."

The noise and clamour of the street had died away,
though now and then the sound of shouting still came from the
distance, and the dull, leaden silence seemed like the quiet
after an earthquake or a storm. Villiers turned from the window
and began speaking.

"I was at a house near Regent's Park last night, and
when I came away the fancy took me to walk home instead of
taking a hansom. It was a clear pleasant night enough, and
after a few minutes I had the streets pretty much to myself.
It's a curious thing, Austin, to be alone in London at night,