Threw it wide, and admitted two of the officers. The other one remained with the horses. CHAPTER XXIII. SEEN IN THE GALLERY BY MOONLIGHT. Mr. Chandos advanced with suavity; the officers saluted him and took off their hats. He held his handkerchief to his face, as if fearing the draught: _I_ knew that it was to shade his livid countenance. "A late visit, gentlemen! To what am I indebted for it?" He had been gradually withdrawing to the oak-parlour as he spoke, and they came with him. I drew back in confused indecision, and stood humbly in the remotest and darkest corner. I had not courage to quit the room, for I must have brushed by them: I hoped that Mr. Chandos would see and dismiss me. But no; he never looked my way. He closed the door, in the face of Hickens, whose state of mind was a pretty even balance between wonder and dismay. "We could not get here sooner, sir," observed one of the officers, who spoke quite like a gentleman, "but we hope the delay has not been inconvenient to you. The inspector, to whom your note was addressed, was out when it arrived, so that it was not opened immediately." Had the sentence been spoken in an unknown tongue, it could not more completely have puzzled Mr. Chandos, to judge by his looks. "What note do you speak of?" "The note you sent in to-day." This appeared to be no elucidation to Mr. Chandos. "Will you tell me what its contents were?" "We got but one, sir. It requested two or three of us to be here to-night, mounted. It intimated that the thief, who has been playing tricks in your house, was discovered, and would be given up to us. Our inspector wondered why we were wanted to come mounted." Oh, the change that fell over the face of Mr. Chandos! the eager light of hope, the vivid rush of renewed colour! It was as one awakening from death to life. "Gentlemen," he said with a smile, as he pointed to seats, "I fear a trick has been played upon _you._ I have not written to your inspector, and most certainly possess as yet, no clue to the parties who have been so disagreeably busy at Chandos." They seemed hardly to believe him. For my own part I could scarcely tell what was real, what not. "But you must not go back without refreshment, although you have had a useless ride," concluded Mr. Chandos, when some further explanation had passed. "It shall be brought in at once," he added, ringing for Hickens. "And this young lady," looking at me then, "will obligingly see the housekeeper and bid her hasten it." I obeyed the look and followed him into the hall. Hickens was there. "Supper, Hickens. These gentlemen will take some before their departure. Bring the best of what you have, and be quick over it."