Pagina 643 van 657

"'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered.

'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was

frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in

there!'

"'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly.

"'Why, what did you think?' I asked.

"'Why do you think that I lock this door?'

"'I am sure that I do not know.'

"'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you

see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner.

"'I am sure if I had known-'

"'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over

that threshold again'-here in an instant the smile hardened into

a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a

demon-'I'll throw you to the mastiff.'