Donaldson turned upon him and the nurse.
"Go down-stairs," he commanded.
His voice made them both shudder back.
"Go down-stairs," he repeated. "Do you hear! Leave her to me!"
Arsdale started a protest, but the nurse, in fright, took his arm and half dragged him towards the stairs. Donaldson followed threateningly. His face was terrible. He stood at the head of the stairs until they reached the hall below. Then he returned to the door.
"Elaine," he said, "I have come back. Do you hear me, Elaine? I have come back."
He heard within the sound as of muffled sobbing. He himself was breathing as though a great weight were on his chest.
"Elaine," he cried, "won't you open the door to me?"
The sobbing was broken by a tremulous voice.
"Is that you, Peter Donaldson?"