The shock restored her self-possession. Bracing herself, she held
her place for a moment, while she looked back, with a finger laid
on her lip. The light was much better here and they could all see
both the move she made and the expression which accompanied it.

"Look at this!" she whispered, pushing the curtain inward with a
quick movement.

Her hand had encountered no resistance. There was nothing between
them and the room beyond but a bit of drapery.

"Now hark, all of you," fell almost soundlessly from her lips, as
she laid her own ear against the curtain.

And they hearkened.

Not a murmur came from within, not so much as the faintest rustle
of clothing or the flutter of a withheld breath. All was perfectly
still--too still. As the full force of this fact impressed itself
upon them, a blankness settled over their features. The
significance of this undisturbed quiet was making itself felt. If
the two were there, or if he were there alone, they would
certainly hear some movement, voluntary or involuntary--and they
could hear nothing. Was the woman gone? Had she found her way out
front while they approached from the rear? And the judge! Was he
gone also?--this man of inalterable habits--gone before Bela's
return--a thing he had not been known to do in the last twelve
years? No, no, this could not be. Yet even this supposition was
not so incredible as that he should still be here and SILENT. Men