The hurried conversation had been carried on in low whispers, so as to give no possible alarm. I laid my hand upon the door. Fortunately it was unlocked, and gave under my gentle pressure. What had Stenwold to fear, and why should he lock himself in? All the doors in Stenwold House were secret and noiseless, especially those in my lord's private apartments. This one opened without a sound, and, with a stealthy motion that would not attract attention, I stepped noiselessly into the room. This apartment was smaller than the other, which had been possibly designed for a refectory in days gone by, and was evidently a library. It looked toward the sea. Heavy hangings draped the windows, a thick carpet lay on the floor. The place was richly furnished and brightly lighted from many candles in sconces and hanging lustres of candelabra. In the centre of the room, by the side of a small table, reclined Lord Stenwold, in somewhat negligent disarray, in a large and comfortable chair. On the table were bottles and glasses and the remains of a meal. Lord Stenwold had evidently just finished his repast. He was engaged in the pleasant act of leaning back in his chair and yawning, stretching out his hands the while. His back was toward the door and nothing had as yet apprised him of my presence. I slipped my sword out of the scabbard as gently as possible. I thought I made no sound, but evidently I did, for he was on his feet in a minute and facing me. "Richmond!" he gasped, in a low, strained voice, evidently not caring or daring to arouse the King or the house. "Good God!" His hand reached for his own sword, lying on a stool by his chair. I could have spitted him then and there without risk or trouble, but it was ever against my principles to attack an unarmed man, and I let him seize his weapon. I said in a voice low to match his own, but full of vengeance and hate: "You vile pander, you have come to the end of your tether now." Stenwold menaced me with his point and then sneered. "Why, you fool," he exclaimed, "this is my house! I have but to call out and the King's Guard will be on you in a moment. To-night His Majesty would be private yonder with a lady. I would not have him disturbed. Yield you at once. If the lady be in a melting mood, as I doubt not, sweet remembrances of their pleasant love passages may incline the King to clemency in the morning when you sue." I needed nothing more, but, if I had, that last mordant insinuation would have been enough. I advanced on him with such fury, forgetful of everything, that he opened his mouth to cry out in his alarm; ere he could do it, I whipped out a small pistol of French make, which I carried ever in my pocket, and held it toward him in my left hand. "You know," said I, "that I am a dead shot with either hand, and I swear to God that I will put a bullet through your black heart if you make a sound, if I am to be torn to pieces the next second."