He sat down and stretched his legs. I said something suitable, but with rather an uncertain voice. This unexpected arrival irritated me. And yet I thoroughly liked Lord Elyn. Vernon, too—I felt sure of it—was vexed by his arrival, but he was charmingly courteous, though, in the trifling conversation that followed, he showed traces of absent-mindedness. I knew he was listening for the sound of the bell. I knew he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the black spaniel. Six o’clock struck. The hand of a clock on the mantelpiece pointed to five minutes, then to ten minutes past six. Vernon began to betray a certain restlessness, a certain uneasiness. He twice changed his place in the room. Finally, he got up and remained standing. “You are expecting someone?” said Lord Elyn, looking at him in some surprise. “Yes. The fact is I’ve bought a dog—or named my price for one—and he ought to be brought here this evening.” “Oh, I’m very fond of dogs. Kept them all my life. What sort of animal is this one?” “A black⸺there’s the bell!” He broke off, went swiftly over to the window and looked out. As he stood with his back turned to us I heard him utter a low exclamation. “What did you say, Vernon?” I asked sharply. I had not heard a word, but there was a thrilling sound in his voice which startled me. I got up also from my chair, possessed, gnawed by an inexplicable restlessness. Vernon turned round from the window. I saw the strange light in his eyes which I had sometimes noticed there when he talked about the animals and their relation with man. “It’s the spaniel,” he said. The words were simple enough, but the way in which he said them was not simple. It sounded cruel and triumphant. Lord Elyn looked more surprised. He also got up. “The arrival of this dog seems quite an event,” he said. “Yes, quite an event,” repeated Vernon, looking towards the door. “It’s years since I’ve had a—pet.” “If you please, Sir, there’s a person here with a dog.” “I know. I expected him.” “Indeed, Sir. Am I to admit him?” “Certainly.” “And the dog, Sir? Is he to come in too?” “Of course. It’s the dog I want, not the man.” Cragg remained in the doorway, looking at his master. “What is it, Cragg?” asked Vernon. “What the deuce is the matter?” “Well, Sir, I don’t see—I don’t, really—how we are ever going to get that dog into the house.” “What do you mean?” said Vernon. On his lips there was playing a slight smile. “I never see an animal in such a state, Sir; I really never did. Hark, Sir!” He lifted his hand. From below there came to us the sound of a long-drawn howling. Again I felt a cold chill go over me. Lord Elyn, too, was unpleasantly affected. He shook his shoulders, and said— “Good God, what a dreadful noise! It sounds like something being tortured.” Vernon was still smiling.