I glanced about and found that all the walls I could see were windowless. The room was lighted by electricity. The door was thickly coated with padded cushioned leather. The floor was carpeted with one vast sheet of rubber. The place was fitted up as a chemical laboratory. I counted half a dozen glass tables littered with retorts and dynamos, testing tubes and other instruments. There were big glass cases filled with porcelain boxes and phials of drugs and large jars containing acids. And finally there was one object my eyes rested on with a little shock of recognition. This was the sarcophagus of Ptahmes. It was raised about three feet from the ground upon two steel trestles. The great sculptured lid was propped on end against a neighbouring wall. But although the coffin was open I could not see within it because the edge was almost on a level with my eyes. "Are you satisfied?" asked Belleville presently. He had followed the direction of my glances with a sort of half-contemptuous, half-amused curiosity, reloading his revolver the while. The man evidently cherished an immense opinion of himself--but he was as cautious as a sage: witness the reloading of his weapon--despite the fact that I was as helpless as a trussed fowl. "Yes. I am satisfied," I answered. "And cool? What I mean is are you perfectly collected? Do you feel able to engage in conversation? Or are you too dazed--or perhaps too angry?" "I can promise at least to listen and try to understand you." He gave me a sardonic smile. "The under dog is a fool to be sarcastic," he said drily. "However, please yourself. Listen then! You are no doubt aware that it is one of my ambitions to marry Miss Ottley?" "Yes." "Captain Weldon stood some time since in my road." "Yes." "Peace to his ashes," smiled the Doctor. Then he frowned. "But to my astonishment I now find that the lady did not care for the gallant Captain." "Indeed." "Indeed and indeed." Belleville bit his lip. "But for you," he snarled. I was silent. "It is almost incredible, but it is true." "She has confided in you?" I asked. "As a preliminary step to defying me," replied Belleville. "It was rather silly of her, but perhaps she could not help herself. Women, even the wisest, are slaves to their emotions of the moment. I was willing to make all sorts of concessions, too. I even offered her your life." "My life." "I offered to permit you to live if she would marry me." "And she?"