The Master of Man: The Story of a Sin

by Sir Hall Caine

"Well?"

"We wish you to allow a plain-clothes man to go about with you for the next few days."

Stowell was startled.

"No, certainly not. It is quite unnecessary," he said.

"Well, if you say so it's all right, Sir. Still, with a madman about, who may make a murderous attack on you...."

"Where is he now?"

"In his chambers."

"Good-morning, Colonel!" said Stowell, and before the Chief Constable had replied he was gone.

A few minutes later the policeman who, for the protection of the Deemster, was on point duty outside Gell's rooms was astonished to see the Deemster himself go up the carpetless staircase.

At a door on the second landing, with Gell's name on it in white letters, he stopped and knocked. The door was not opened, but he heard shuffling steps inside and knocked again.