The Unknown still wore his air of dazed bewilderment, true or feigned, but at least he was now able to walk without support. They stared at him, at his tattered, muddy garments, at the threads of rope still clinging to his ankles—and wondered. He returned their stares vacantly.
“Come in,” began Miss Cornelia. “Sit down.” He obeyed both commands docilely enough.
“Are you better now?”
“Somewhat.” His words still came very slowly.
“Billy—you can go.”
“I stay, please!” said Billy wistfully, making no movement to leave. His gesture toward the darkness of the corridor spoke louder than words.
Bailey watched him, suspicion dawning in his eyes. He could not account for the butler’s inexplicable terror of being left alone.
“Anderson intimated that the Doctor had an accomplice in this house,” he said, crossing to Billy and taking him by the arm. “Why isn’t this the man?” Billy cringed away. “Please, no,” he begged pitifully.
Bailey turned him around so that he faced the Hidden Room.
“Did you know that room was there?” he questioned, his doubts still unquieted.