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195 the sound of steps within the room and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran — ran as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting outside. " 'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it must be when I saw the door open.' " 'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. " 'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!' — you cannot think how caress- ing and soothing his manner was — ' and what has frightened you, my dear young lady?' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I was keenly on my guard against him. " 'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in there ! ' " 'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. " 'Why, what did you think?' I asked. " 'Why do you think that I lock this door?' " 'I am sure that I do not know.' " 'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. " 'I am sure if I had known — ' " 'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that threshold again' — here in an instant the smile hardened into a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a demon — 'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told ADVENTURE XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES