47509    The western window through which he had stared so intently has, I noticed, one peculiarity above all other windows in the house - it commands the nearest outlook on to the moor.

47510    There is an opening between two trees which enables one from this point of view to look right down upon it, while from all the other windows it is only a distant glimpse which can be obtained.

47511    It follows, therefore, that Barrymore, since only this window would serve his purpose, must have been looking out for something or somebody upon the moor.

47512    The night was very dark, so that I can hardly imagine how he could have hoped to see anyone.

47513    It had struck me that it was possible that some love intrigue was on foot.

47514    That would have accounted for his stealthy movements and also for the uneasiness of his wife.

47515    The man is a striking-looking fellow, very well equipped to steal the heart of a country girl, so that this theory seemed to have something to support it.

47516    That opening of the door which I had heard after I had returned to my room might mean that he had gone out to keep some clandestine appointment.

47517    So I reasoned with myself in the morning, and I tell you the direction of my suspicions, however much the result may have shown that they were unfounded.

47518    But whatever the true explanation of Barrymore's movements might be, I felt that the responsibility of keeping them to myself until could explain them was more than I could bear.

47519    I had an interview with the baronet in his study after breakfast, and I told him all that I had seen.

47520    He was less surprised than I had expected.

47521    'I knew that Barrymore walked about nights, and I had a mind to speak to him about it,' said he.

47522    'Two or three times I have heard his steps in the passage, coming and going, just about the hour you name.'

47523    'Perhaps, then, he pays a visit every night to that particular window,' I suggested.