The lamp had been turned down, so that the room was very gloomy, but there was light enough for Guest to make out the weird aspect of the busts and various natural history specimens about, one great eagle owl over the door catching a gleam of the lamp, and looking, with its fixed glass eyes, fully aware of the mystery overhanging the place. The various articles of furniture, too, assumed a strange guise, and cast shadows of a startling nature; but, after a few minutes, Guest settled down to the contemplation of his friend, whose eyes seemed to be closed, though a few minutes later a faint scintillation showed that he was still awake and watchful. But Guest was too weary now to feel any dread. Stratton was evidently sorry for his mad attempt, and perfectly sane, so, after a few brave efforts to keep awake, the young barrister calmly dropped off into a deep sleep, and the busy working of a dream, in which Edie was scornfully telling him that she had discovered all about his escapade with a dark woman resembling the queen of spades, and when he tried to catch her in his arms and convince her that he was a perfectly innocent man, she sprang from her seat, uttering a piercing cry. Trembling and startled, Guest leaped up, to find the lamp turned to its full height, and, with the strange hoarse cry still ringing in his ears, he saw Stratton standing back against the cabinet farthest from the fireplace, glaring wildly, while from out of the closet, apparently, a curious rustling noise, followed by a dull blow upon something hollow, fell upon his ear. CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. MRS BRADE HAS IDEAS. Thinking over the events of the past nights, and the overwrought state of his friend's nerves, which had made him start in horror from his sleep at the noise made by the rats which infested the old house, Guest went on to muse over his position, and the prospects of the admiral accepting him as a husband for his niece, while Myra's engagement stood as it did. "Time cures all things," he muttered. "Wonder how the poor boy feels now. By George, he startled me and spoiled my night." He had been having an early walk, Stratton seeming calm enough that morning, and he was now returning through the archway when there was a low cough, and he heard his name uttered. Turning sharply, it was to see Mrs Brade at her doorway, beckoning to him. "Good-morning. You wish to speak to me?" "Yes, sir, if you would not mind stepping inside, sir. I'm all alone, except my husband, sir." Guest stepped into the little room, half parlour, half kitchen, of the porter's lodge, and Mrs Brade carefully wiped a highly polished, well beeswaxed chair with her apron and set it by the fire. "No, no, not there," said Guest hastily. "I'm hot enough already." "Of course, sir," said the woman, changing the position; "and you've been walking, sir. One oughtn't to have a fire on a day like this; only you see, sir, one must cook and do everything here when one only has one room."