He heard the sound of a female voice addressing a companion, who was evidently another female, to judge from the tones of the voice.
To his horror he heard the footsteps of two persons who were evidently making for either the room in which he was ensconced, or else one on the same floor.
He was seriously alarmed, but did not lose his presence of mind.
He looked out of the window of the bedchamber, and saw several persons on the lawn in front of the house, they were playing at croquet.
Escape by means of the window was, therefore, impossible, his movements would be sure to attract the attention of the croquet players, and if he passed out of the room through the door, he would, in all probability, be confronted by the two females.
At such a crisis as this every moment was precious.
“What could he do?”
A sudden thought struck him. In the bedroom was a large press or wardrobe. A key was in the door of this. Peace withdrew it as noiselessly as possible, crept into the press, and then locked himself in.
Any way it would give him time to determine upon his course of action. Possibly the ladies were about to enter some other apartment.
He listened till his ears tingled again. He was not kept long in suspense.