"It is you, then, Mr Brettison," cried Mrs Brade joyfully; "I thought it was you as you passed the lodge, and I am glad, sir. We began to think you must be dead and gone. Now do let me come and tidy up your room, sir, and make you a cup of tea." "No, no," said Brettison. "I am going in here. Mr Stratton and I are leaving town." "Mr Stratton has gone, sir. Leastwise not at home." "What!" "Mr Guest was here a quarter of an hour ago, and said he'd been here once before. He couldn't make no one hear." "Something has happened then," said Brettison to himself, and a thrill of horror ran through his frame. CHAPTER FORTY NINE. A PLACE OF REST. "Well, if ever two strange gentlemen did live in inns it's Mr Stratton and Mr Brettison," said Mrs Brade as she reluctantly went back to her lodge. "Nice state their rooms must be in; and him, once so civil and polite, as awkward and gruff as you please." She had some cause for complaint, Brettison having dismissed her with a request not to talk quite so much. In spite of the woman's declaration of Stratton's absence, the old man felt that he must be there; and after knocking twice, each time with his heart sinking more and more with dread, he applied his lips to the letter-box after forcing open the spring flap. "Stratton, if you are there, for Heaven's sake open at once!" he whispered loudly. There was a rustling sound directly, the bolt was shot back, and Stratton admitted him, afterward taking a letter from the box, glancing at it, and thrusting it into his pocket. "That woman said you had gone out," said Brettison eagerly. "I was alarmed. I thought--how is he?" Stratton pointed to the chair where the man lay as if asleep. "Why, how haggard you look," said Brettison excitedly. "Has there been anything the matter?" "Nothing much; only I have had a struggle with a madman who tried to murder me." "My dear boy!" "It is a fact," said Stratton. "I found him with that piece of rock in his hand, and about to strike me down." He pointed to the massive stone lying on the table, and then said, smiling: "I was just in time to save myself." "Good Heavens! Was he dangerous for long?" "For long enough. We had a short struggle, and he went down with a crash. One moment he was tremendously strong; the next helpless as a child, and he has been like that ever since. Our plans must be altered." "No, not now," said Brettison decisively. "The man has been over-excited to-day. Your presence seems to have roused up feelings that have been asleep. I ought not to have left you alone with him. Come, it is getting late. We have very few minutes to spare." "Then you mean to go?" "Yes, I mean to go. You shall see us to the station. I have no fear of him; he will be calm enough with me."