47476    And yet it may seem a small matter in itself.

47477    You are aware that I am not a very sound sleeper, and since I have been on guard in this house my slumbers have been lighter than ever.

47478    Last night, about two in the morning, I was aroused by a stealthy step passing my room.

47479    I rose, opened my door, and peeped out.

47480    A long black shadow was trailing down the corridor.

47481    It was thrown by a man who walked softly down the passage with a candle held in his hand.

47482    He was in shirt and trousers, with no covering to his feet.

47483    I could merely see the outline, but his height told me that it was Barrymore.

47484    He walked very slowly and circumspectly, and there was something indescribably guilty and furtive in his whole appearance.

47485    I have told you that the corridor is broken by the balcony which runs round the hall, but that it is resumed upon the farther side.

47486    I waited until he had passed out of sight, and then I followed him.

47487    When I came round the balcony he had reached the end of the farther corridor, and I could see from the glimmer of light through an open door that he had entered one of the rooms.

47488    Now, all these rooms are unfurnished and unoccupied, so that his expedition became more mysterious than ever.

47489    The light shone steadily, as if he were standing motionless.

47490    I crept down the passage as noiselessly as I could and peeped round the corner of the door.