If Mr Galloway attempted to re gain his> room he would run into the man's arms. Thoroughly frightened for once in his life, the old gentleman hastily blew out his candle and groped his way into the cup board. He had barely pullod the door to after him when two men entered the room. "Tho governor's door was open as we came past," said one of thorn, in a voice un known to Mr Galloway. " Where's he gone to ?"' " (Joodness knows," said the other— whom the listener at once recognised as Dovers. "Spying after me, as usual, I dare say. He'll poke his old nose into something he won't like before long. Hallo ' What's this? The old fox has been explorin' here and forgot to take away his candlestick " "Maybe he's here now," said the other man. "If he is, we'll teach him a lesson. Show a light under the bed a minute. No ; not there. Perhaps he's in here. Wait half a minute. Let's have a dose of medi cine ready for him. Hold up the candle, Jim— &o. Now, then — what's here." The cupboard door was thrown wide open. A big, powerful man stood face to face with Mr Galloway, and held what looked uncomfortably like the muzzle of a revolver within a yard of his forehead. "Stand still !" said the man— tho same whom Mr Galloway had already seen in Dovera's company—" and don't open your mouth, or you are a dead man the next instant." The words were spoken in a tone which at once persuaded Mr Galloway of the earnestness of the speaker. He shrank back into the cupboard, silent, and trem bling visibly. " What shall we do with the scoundrel ?" asked Dovers's friend. " Shut the door a moment," said Dovers, "and turn the key." " You had betttr not make a row," said the stranger, as he acted on this suggestion. "You'll find a bullet comin' through the door if you do. And it won't be any use shouting. We are alone in the house." This was true enough, as Mr Galloway remembered when the door was f?hu£ and he was again left to meditate in the dark. At luncheon-time that day Mrs Tibbitt had told him that she was going to the play the same night with her husband. 