A man, evidently from his stealthy walk a man with some purpose which was not honest, was sliding rapidly along the walls towards the door. Chris dropped her skirt, and held her breath. Was he going out, afraid of being discovered? In this case she made up her mind to pretend not to see him.
To her horror he gained the door by a last step, which was like the bound of a wild beast, and took the key out of the lock.
Chris sprang from the stage to the floor, uncertain what to do until she knew who this was, and what his purpose might be. But with a sudden notion that this was a thief, who meant to assault and rob her, she turned towards the lantern, thinking she could elude him better in the dark.
But the man divined her attention, and sprang across the floor with leaps and bounds, uttering discordant and frantic cries.
For one moment Chris was paralysed with horror, and could not move; and of that one moment the man took advantage to snatch up the lantern, and turn its full light upon her.
Then she stood transfixed, looking at his great wild eyes in the obscurity, and clasping her hands.
For it was the lunatic from the east wing!