He saw himself at the centre of the stage in this tragic drama, and it was not unnatural that he should desire to figure there effectively after taking so much trouble.Thus, while Sir Walter still opposed, he was surprised to hear Mary plead on the visitor's behalf, and his nephew support her.
"Signor Mannetti is quite right, father; I am positive of it," she said."He is right; and because he is right, he is safe.""Admirably put!" cried the Italian."There you have the situation in a nutshell, my friends.Trust a clever woman's intuition.I am indeed right.Never was consciousness of right so impressed upon my mind - prone as I am always to doubt my own conclusions.I am, in fact, right because I cannot be wrong.Trust me.My own safety is absolutely assured, for we are concerned with the operations of men like ourselves - at least, I hope very different from ourselves, but men, nevertheless.It was your fate to revive this horror; it shall be my privilege to banish it out of the earth.At a breath the cunning of the ungodly shall be brought to nought.And not before it is time.But the mills of God grind slowly.Our achievement will certainly resound to the corners of the civilized world.""I'm as positive as the signor himself that he is safe, uncle," said Henry Lennox.
"Let us go to tea," replied Sir Walter."These things are far too deep for a plain man.I only ask you to consider all this must mean to me who am the master of Chadlands and responsible to the authorities.Beflect if ill overtook you.""It is impossible that it can."
"So others believed.And where are they? Further trouble would unhinge my mind, signor.""You have endured enough to make you speak so strongly, and your brave girl also.But fear nothing whatever.I am far too deeply concerned and committed on your behalf to add a drop to the bitter drink of the past, my dear Sir Walter.I am as safe in that room as I should be at the altar steps of St.Peter's.Trust old Prince, if you cannot trust me.I rely largely on your blind pet to aid me.He has good work to do yet, faithful fellow.""The detectives took animals into the room, but they were not hurt," said Lennox.
"Neither shall the dog be hurt."
He patted the sleeping spaniel, and they rose and went into the house together.
Mannetti evidently assumed that his wishes were to be granted.
"I will go and sleep awhile," he said."Until an early dinner, excuse me, and let Mrs.May and Mr.Lennox convince you, as they are themselves convinced.These events have immensely excited my vitality.I little guessed that, at the end of my days, a sensation so remarkable lay in store for me.I must conserve my strength for to-night.I am well - very well - and supported by the consciousness of coming triumph.Such an achievement would have rewarded my long journey and these exertions, even had not your acquaintance been ample reward already.I will, then, sleep until dinner-time, and so be replenished to play my part in a wonderful though melancholy romance.Let us dine at seven, if you please."His excitement and natural levity strove with the gloomy facts.He resembled a mourner at a funeral who experiences pleasant rather than painful emotions but continually reminds himself to behave in a manner appropriate to the occasion.
They sent for his man, and, on Stephano's arm, the old gentleman withdrew.
He returned for a moment, however, and spoke again.
"You will do exactly as I wish and allow no human being to enter the Grey Room.Keep the key in your pocket, Sir Walter; and do not go there yourself either.It is still a trap of death for everybody else in the world but myself."
