Then came another sound and the entire door moved up. It revealed a figure clad in a long gown with hooded cowl.
The strange visitor stepped down from the entrance. The bottom of the gown seemed to slide in front of him, so that no foot was visible. The whole effect was both weird and surprising.
The dread figure advanced slowly and Harry instinctively shifted his position. He did not like the appearance of this unexpected arrival.
The man in the robe stopped a few feet in front of Harry. The cloth front of his cowl had two narrow slits through which he was peering; but Harry could not detect the eyes behind it. He calmly met the gaze of the unseen eyes, and waited for the visitor to speak.
“Who are you?” came a low voice. The sinister tones were chilling. Harry did not reply.
“Who are you?” The question was repeated.
Harry remained silent.
“Are you The Shadow?”
The question was unexpected. Harry felt a sudden tenseness. He restrained himself and made no response.
“Why did you follow Rodney Paget?”