"Impossible.It is the only home of half my elder people.But, if nothing is discovered and we are still left without an explanation, I shall seal the Grey Room - windows, door, and hearth - unless the authorities direct otherwise.I wish I could fill the place with solid stone or concrete,so that it would cease to be a room at all.""That you can't do," answered the practical doctor."Such a weight would bring down the ceiling beneath.But you can make it fast and block it up if the thing beats them.""We are like the blind moving in regions unfamiliar to their touch," said Sir Walter."I had hoped so much from the prayer of that just man.He, indeed, has gone to his reward.He is with the boy he loved better than anything on earth; but for us is left great sorrow and distress.Still, prayers continue to be answered, Mannering.I have prayed for patience, and I find myself patient.The iron has entered my soul.The horror of publicity - the morbid agony I experienced when I knew my name must be dragged through every newspaper in England - these pangs are past.My life seems to have ended in one sense, and, looking back, I cannot fail to see how little I grasped the realities of existence, how I took my easy days as a matter of course and never imagined that for me, too, extreme suffering and misery were lying in wait.Each man's own burden seems the hardest to bear, I imagine, and to me these events have shrivelled the very marrow in my bones.They scorched me, and the glare, thrown from the larger world into the privacy of my life, made me feel that I could call on the hills to cover me.But now I can endure all.""You must not look at it so, Sir Walter.Everybody knows that you have done no wrong, and if your judgment is questioned, what is it? Only the fate every man - great or small, famous or insignificant - has to bear.You can't escape criticism in this world, any more than you can escape calumny.It is something that you can now speak so steadfastly, preserve such patience, and see so clearly, too.But, for my part, clear seeing only increases my anxiety to-night.I don't personally care a button for the welfare of those men, since they declined to take my advice; but I am human, and as I suffer with a sick patient and rejoice when he recovers, so I cannot help suffering at the thought of the risk these four are running.They sit there, I suppose, or else walk about.They wear gas masks, and carry weapons in their hands.But if we are opposed to a blind, deaf, unreasoning force, which acts unconsciously and inevitably, then the fate of ten men would be just as uncertain as the fate of one.The thingoperates by day or night - that much has been proved - and, since it is probably acting automatically, as lightning or steam, how can they escape?""This invisible death-dealing force may be in the control of a human mind, remember.""It is beyond the bounds of possibility, Sir Walter.""You are a rash man to affirm anything so definite, after what you have gone through with the rest of us.Let me, in my turn, urge you to go to your rest.These things have told upon you.You are only flesh and blood, not iron, as you fancy.The men are all right so far.""I'll get something to eat and drink," said Mannering, "and leave you in peace for a while.""Do.You will find all you need in the dining-room.I directed Masters to leave ample there, in case the detectives might want food.""Shall I bring you something - a whisky, and a biscuit?" "No, no.I need nothing."The doctor went his way, and passed an hour with meat and drink.Then he felt an overpowering desire to sleep, but resisted it, lighted his pipe again, and, resumed his march in the hall.He listened presently at the library door, and was gratified to hear a gentle but steady snore.The sound pleased Mannering well.
He padded about once more, resolved to keep awake until the vigil was ended.Then he would go to bed and sleep.It was now past three o'clock on a still, winter night - a lull and interval between yesterday's storm and rough weather yet to come.The doctor went out of doors for a time and tramped the terrace.A waning moon had risen, and the night was mild and cloudy.
Bright light shot out like fans into the murk from the east and south windows of the Grey Room.Returning to the house, the watcher listened at the foot of the staircase, and heard the mumble of men's voices and the sound of feet.They were changing the guard, and the detective in the corridor gave up his place to one from inside.All was well so far.
Then Mannering went to the billiard-room, lolled on the settee for a time, and drowsed through another hour.For a few minutes he lostconsciousness, started up to blame his weakness, and looked at his watch.But he had only slumbered for five minutes.
At six o'clock he told himself that it was morning, and went in again to Sir Walter.The old man had wakened, and was sitting in quiet reflection until daylight should outline the great window above the dead.
"The night has been one of peace," he declared."The spirit of poor May seemed near me, and I felt, too, as though his son were not far off, either.Is all well with the watchers?""I leave you to inquire, but don't go too near them.Night fades over the woods, so the day can be said to have begun.""Doubtless the household will be stirring.I shall go and inquire, if they will permit me to do so.Oblige me by staying here a few minutes until I call my daughter.I do not want our poor friend to be alone until he leaves us.""I will stay here for the present.But don't let Mary be called if she is sleeping, and turn in yourself for a few hours now.""I have slept off and on."
Sir Walter left him and ascended to the corridor.Already light moved wanly in the windows.
He stood at the top of the staircase and raised his voice.
"Is all well, gentlemen?" he asked loudly; but he received no answer."Is all well?" he cried again.
And then from the gloom emerged Inspector Frith.He had doffed his gas mask.
