"But in any case," I said aloud, addressing myself to the empty room and the storm-echoes--"I will not meet him to-night. I'll go out and leave no message,--and if he comes he will think I have not yet had his letter. I can make an appointment to see him when I am better lodged, and dressed more in keeping with my present position,--in the meantime, nothing is easier than to keep out of this would-be benefactor's way." As I spoke, the flickering lamp gave a dismal crackle and went out, leaving me in pitch darkness. With an exclamation more strong than reverent, I groped about the room for matches, or failing them, for my hat and coat,--and I was still engaged in a fruitless and annoying search, when I caught a sound of galloping horses' hoofs coming to an abrupt stop in the street below. Surrounded by black gloom, I paused and listened. There was a slight commotion in the basement,--I heard my landlady's accents attuned to nervous civility, mingling with the mellow tones of a deep masculine voice,--then steps, firm and even, ascended the stairs to my landing. "The devil is in it!" I muttered vexedly--"Just like my wayward luck!--here comes the very man I meant to avoid!" III The door opened,--and from the dense obscurity enshrouding me I could just perceive a tall shadowy figure standing on the threshold. I remember well the curious impression the mere outline of this scarcely discerned Form made upon me even then,--suggesting at the first glance such a stately majesty of height and bearing as at once riveted my attention,--so much so indeed that I scarcely heard my landlady's introductory words "A gentleman to see you sir,"--words that were quickly interrupted by a murmur of dismay at finding the room in total darkness. "Well to be sure! The lamp must have gone out!" she exclaimed,--then addressing the personage she had ushered thus far, she added--"I'm afraid Mr Tempest isn't in after all, sir, though I certainly saw him about half-an-hour ago. If you don't mind waiting here a minute I'll fetch a light and see if he has left any message on his table." She hurried away, and though I knew that of course I ought to speak, a singular and quite inexplicable perversity of humour kept me silent and unwilling to declare my presence. Meanwhile the tall stranger advanced a pace or two, and a rich voice with a ring of ironical amusement in it called me by my name-- "Geoffrey Tempest, are you there?" Why could I not answer? The strangest and most unnatural obstinacy stiffened my tongue,--and, concealed in the gloom of my forlorn literary den I still held my peace. The majestic figure drew nearer, till in height and breadth it seemed to suddenly overshadow me; and once again the voice called-- "Geoffrey Tempest, are you there?" For very shame's sake I could hold out no longer,--and with a determined effort I broke the extraordinary dumb spell that had held me like a coward in silent hiding, and came forward boldly to confront my visitor.