‘Who is there?’ asked Romaine.
‘It’s only me, sir,’ said the soft voice of Dawson. ‘It’s the Viscount, sir. He is very desirous to speak with you on business.’
‘Tell him I shall come shortly, Dawson,’ said the lawyer. ‘I am at present engaged.’
‘Thank you, sir!’ said Dawson.
And we heard his feet draw off slowly along the corridor.
‘Yes,’ said Mr. Romaine, speaking low, and maintaining the attitude of one intently listening, ‘there is another foot. I cannot be deceived!’
‘I think there was indeed!’ said I. ‘And what troubles me—I am not sure that the other has gone entirely away. By the time it got the length of the head of the stair the tread was plainly single.’
‘Ahem—blockaded?’ asked the lawyer.
‘A siege en règle!’ I exclaimed.
‘Let us come farther from the door,’ said Romaine, ‘and reconsider this damnable position. Without doubt, Alain was this moment at the door. He hoped to enter and get a view of you, as if by accident. Baffled in this, has he stayed himself, or has he planted Dawson here by way of sentinel?’