It was standing on the
opposite side of the road. I reached the tradesman's entrance.
From my left, in the direction of the back lawn of the house, came a
sudden singular crackling noise and I discerned a flash of blue flame
resembling faint "summer lightning." A series of muffled explosions
followed ... and in the darkness I tripped over something which lay
along the ground at my feet--a length of cable it seemed to be.
Stumbling, I uttered a slight exclamation ... and instantly received
a blow on the head that knocked me flat upon the ground! Everything
was swimming around me, but I realized that someone--Chunda Lal
probably--had been hiding in the very passage which I had entered!
I heard again that uncanny wailing, close beside me.
Vaguely I discerned an incredible figure--like that of a tall cowled
monk, towering over me. I struggled to retain consciousness--there was
a rush of feet ... the throb of a motor. It stimulated me--that sound!
I must get to the telephone and cause the yellow car to be intercepted.
I staggered to my feet and groped my way along the hedge to where I
had observed a tree by means of which one might climb over. I was
dizzy as a drunken man; but I half climbed and half fell on to the
lawn. The windows were open. I rushed into the study of Dr. Stuart.
Pah! it was full of fumes. I looked around me. _Mon Dieu!_ I staggered.
For I knew that in this fume-laden room a thing more horrible and more
strange than any within my experience had taken place that night.
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