"At last the long-drawn-out evening came to an end,

and extra lamps were brought to light us to our rooms.

Augusto Brito, I noted, was to sleep somewhere in the

main wing of the house, for I was the only one to go down

the long passage to tile room where the melons were

stored.

"It was with relief I sat down on the bed in my quiet

white room. All day l d tried to hold my thoughts in

check, but now at last I was free to think things out. If Bill

Scardon s suspicions were really true, then I d best clear

out as he d said. Fix up to go home without more delay.

And Richard? Not sec Richard anymore? In spite of

everything, I wantcd desperately to go on knowing him.

I felt very tired. Best leave it all until the morning. But

there still was no question in my mind of sleep.

"Not just yet.

"Even if I gave in and went back to England, there was

still one last thing I had to make sure of for myself. To-

night, when the house was quiet, I was going to find a way

to the barred room in the tower and learn its secret."