I saw Humphreys spring from his chair in sudden alarm.
“Hark!” I cried, breathlessly. “What was that?”
But as I spoke the room seemed suddenly to revolve about me rapidly. Then everything faded from my sight: and I felt paralyzed.
Again that shrill scream of terror fell upon my ears with increased distinctness.
Next second consciousness left me and everything was abruptly blotted out.
CHAPTER XX
THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL
When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.
The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre. Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.
Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.
I tried to make out where I was and what had happened. But all I could tell was that I was seated in a cramped position, tied hand and foot. My limbs ached intolerably as though I had remained there many hours.