They stepped out into the night. And now, without rain, the storm had passed away, and the stars were shining. They walked quickly. Arthur went in front of them. Dr Porhoët and Susie followed him, side by side, and they had to hasten their steps in order not to be left behind. It seemed to them that the horror of the night was passed, and there was a fragrancy in the air which was wonderfully refreshing. The sky was beautiful. And at last they came to Skene. Arthur led them again to the opening in the palisade, and he took Susie’s hand. Presently they stood in the place from which a few days before they had seen the house. As then, it stood in massive blackness against the night and, as then, the attic windows shone out with brilliant lights. Susie started, for she had expected that the whole place would be in darkness.
“There is no danger, I promise you,” said Arthur gently. “We are going to find out the meaning of all this mystery.”
He began to walk towards the house.
“Have you a weapon of some sort?” asked the doctor.
Arthur handed him a revolver.
“Take this. It will reassure you, but you will have no need of it. I bought it the other day when—I had other plans.”
Susie gave a little shudder. They reached the drive and walked to the great portico which adorned the facade of the house. Arthur tried the handle, but it would not open.
“Will you wait here?” he said. “I can get through one of the windows, and I will let you in.”
He left them. They stood quietly there, with anxious hearts; they could not guess what they would see. They were afraid that something would happen to Arthur, and Susie regretted that she had not insisted on going with him. Suddenly she remembered that awful moment when the light of the lamp had been thrown where all expected to see a body, and there was nothing.
“What do you think it meant?” she cried suddenly. “What is the explanation?”