“I can scarcely think it means any danger,” he muttered to himself, “for I am unable to think what kind of danger it could be—but yet, it is most extraordinary!”
Suddenly another idea came to his mind and brought him to his feet with a jump. He sprang toward the door, and as he approached it half instinctively he began stepping more quietly until as he neared it he was advancing on tiptoe.
“One of those fellows in livery may be outside,” he thought.
Then he took hold of the knob and very softly and silently turned it. When it was turned all the way he gave a slight push at the door, which opened outward.
And as he did so he felt the blood rush to his forehead and his breath almost stopped. He flung his weight against the door violently, but it did not move. Almost overcome with his discovery, he staggered back against the wall.
“By Jove!” he panted, “I am locked in!”
III
Roberts began pacing very anxiously up and down the floor of the room. He did not continue that for very many minutes, however, before he stopped abruptly and again seated himself in the chair.
“There is something wrong here,” he muttered, “mighty wrong! But I don’t want them to know I have discovered it.”
He sat for several minutes with his head in his hands, gazing straight in front of him, his mind in a perfect tumult. He was absolutely without any possible idea as to what that state of affairs could mean or what object his mysterious host could possibly have in taking him prisoner.