“Your friend, “JOHNSON LEE.” The note-paper was headed “Rath Hall, January 13th.” “They came to me to-day. If I had seen them before, there would have been no need for the regrettable happening.” He looked thoughtfully at his friend. “They will be difficult: I had that expectation,” he said, and Monty knew that he referred to the Three Just Men. “Yet they are mortal also—remember that, my Newton: they are mortal also.” “As we are,” said Newton gloomily. “That is a question,” said Oberzohn, “so far as I am concerned.” Dr. Oberzohn never jested; he spoke with the greatest calm and assurance. The other man could only stare at him. Although it was light, a green lamp showed clearly in the turret room of the doctor’s house as he came within sight of the ugly place. And, seeing that warning, he did not expect to be met in the passage by Gurther. The man had changed from his resplendent kit and was again in the soiled and shabby garments he had discarded the night before. “You have come, Gurther?” “Ja, Herr Doktor.” “To my parlour!” barked Dr. Oberzohn, and marched ahead. Gurther followed him and stood with his back to the door, erect, his chin raised, his bright, curious eyes fixed on a point a few inches above his master’s head. “Tell me now.” The doctor’s ungainly face was working ludicrously. “I saw the man and struck, Herr Doktor, and then the lights went out and I went to the floor, expecting him to shoot. . . . I think he must have taken the gracious lady. I did not see, for there was a palm between us. I returned at once to the greater hall, and walked through the people on the floor. They were very frightened.” “You saw them?” “Yes, Herr Doktor,” said Gurther. “It is not difficult for me to see in the dark. After that I ran to the other entrance, but they were gone.” “Come here.” The man took two stilted paces towards the doctor and Oberzohn struck him twice in the face with the flat of his hand. Not a muscle of the man’s face moved: he stood erect, his lips framed in a half-grin, his curious eyes staring straight ahead. “That is for bad time, Gurther. Nobody saw you return?” “No, Herr Doktor, I came on foot.” “You saw the light?” “Yes, Herr Doktor, and I thought it best to be here.” “You were right,” said Oberzohn. “March!” He went into the forbidden room, turned the key, and passed into the super-heated atmosphere. Gurther stood attentively at the door. Presently the doctor came out, carrying a long case covered with baize under his arm. He handed it to the waiting man, went into the room, and, after a few minutes’ absence, returned with a second case, a little larger. “March!” he said. Gurther followed him out of the house and across the rank, weed-grown “garden” towards the factory. A white mist had rolled up from the canal, and factory and grounds lay under the veil.