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Page 88
Signor Mannetti ate sparingly, then he donned a big, fur,
motor-coat and declared himself ready. They thought he had
forgotten Prince, but he insisted upon the company of the ancient
spaniel. The dog had fed, and he could sleep as well in one place
as another.
"Fear not," said the Italian. "I shall be considerate to your
ancient pet. I do not beg his aid without reason. He is on my
side and will help me if he can--infirm though he be. I have
made friends with him. Set him at my feet. I will sit here under
the electric light and read my Italian papers."
Thus once again a solitary occupied the Grey Room and measured his
intelligence against the terrible forces therein concealed. Signor
Mannetti took leave of them cheerfully at eight o'clock, and while
Sir Walter and Mary descended to the library, Henry took up his
station at the head of the staircase. The corridor was lighted
and the door of the Grey Room left open.
But in ten minutes the watcher looked out and cried to Lennox, who
sat smoking about thirty-five yards from him.
"There is a great draught here," he said. "I will close the door,
but leave it ajar that we may salute each other from time to time."
The hours crept on and since everybody at Chadlands knew what was
happening, few retired to rest. It was understood that some time
after midnight Signor Mannetti hoped to declare the result of his
experiment.
Henry Lennox challenged half-hourly, always receiving a brisk reply.
But a little after half-past one his "All well, signor?" received
no response. He raised his voice, but still no answer came. He
went to the door, therefore, and looked into the Grey Room. The
watcher had slipped down in the armchair they had set for him under
the electric light, and was lying motionless, but in an easy
position. He still wore his fur-coat. Prince Henry did not see.
The room was silent and cold. The electric light burned brightly,
and both windows were open. Young Lennox hastened downstairs.
His thoughts concentrated on his uncle, and his desire was to spare
him any needless shock. For a moment he believed that Signor
Mannetti had succumbed in the Grey Room, as others before him, but
he could not be certain. A bare half-hour had elapsed since the
watcher had uttered a cheerful answer to the last summons, and told
them his vigil was nearly ended. Lennox sought Masters, therefore,
told him that the worst was to be feared, yet explained that the
old man who had watched in the Grey Room might not be dead but
sunk in sleep.
Masters was sanguine that it might be so.
"Be sure he is so. I'll fetch the liqueur brandy," and, armed with
his panacea, he followed Henry upstairs. Signor Mannetti had not
moved, but as they approached him, to their infinite relief he did
so, opened his eyes, stared wildly about him, and then realized
the situation.
"Alas! Now I have frightened you out of your senses," he said,
looking at their anxious faces. "All is well. In less than
another hour I should have summoned Sir Walter. But just that
last half-hour overcame me, and I sank into sleep. What is the
time?"
"A quarter to two, signor."
"Good! Then let your uncle be summoned. I have found out the
secret."
"A thimbleful of old cognac, signor?" asked Masters.
"Willingly, my friend, willingly. I see how wise you both were.
I approve and thank you. You thought that I had followed the
others into the shades, yet meant to restore me if you could
without frightening Sir Walter. To go to sleep was unpardonable."
Abraham Masters and Henry descended with the good news, while the
old man drank.
"I shall detain you half an hour or so," he said, when they all
returned to him. "But I have no fear that anybody will want to
fall asleep."
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