The passage was quite dark. From the end of it, directly behind me, came the response, “Yes, Leonard.”

“Ah, you are there?” I questioned.

“I have been waiting for you to wake. I did not wish to disturb your sleep,” she explained.

“And they—where are they now?”

“Mr. Fairchild is in the guest-chamber, where he is to sleep. Miriam is in her room. I could not come to you so long as they were together. It would not do to leave them alone. That is why I wrote the note.”

By this time we were between my own four walls, and I had closed the door behind us.

“And now, for Heaven's sake, explain to me what this means,” I said, holding up the sheet of paper.

“It means what it says. He has recognised Miriam.”

“Oh, it is impossible,” I declared.

“I only wish you were right,” sighed Josephine dolefully.