private hall and retired into the parlor for consultation and the consolation of tobacco. There followed a riot in the rear of our apartment, but we paid no attention to it. After a while the doors got tired and stopped for a rest. Then we went out. We broke every seal as we went along and we shot back every bolt. Not a seal or a bolt had been disturbed.
"The demonstration is satisfactory," said Hopkins, finally.
"As far as I am concerned the investigation is closed. Suppose we go house-hunting to-morrow."
This was, as I said, on Tuesday of last week. We did not find a place that suited us on Wednesday or Thursday, but the house was quiet on both nights. On Friday morning we all got in together soon after 3 o'clock. We were sitting in the parlor discussing the difficulties of moving when there was a soft knock at our door. Catchings answered it. Hopkins and I heard him open the door and then there was a pause. Then we heard Catchings say something, but it was in a voice so low that we could not distinguish his words.
"What is it, Jack?" asked Hopkins.
Catchings made no reply to us, but we heard him say distinctly, "I think you have made a mistake, madam."
Hopkins and I jumped up and went down the hall together. As we passed the gas-burner, I turned the light on full. Looking over Catchings 's shoulder I saw standing in the doorway a woman perhaps 25 years old. She was in her night robe and her long, glossy black hair hung thickly over her shoulders. Her hands were clasped in front of her. Her face was absolutely without color, and her eyes, big, round, and deep black, were staring straight over our heads up the hall.
"What is it, Jack?" Hopkins asked again, as we reached the door. "What does she want?"
"I don't know," replied Catchings. "She doesn't say."
Then addressing the woman he said again: "I think you have made a mistake, madam."
She did not move a muscle. I was staring at her with all my eyes and I could not see her even breathe. Then Hopkins asked, and I remember feeling that his voice was rough and harsh.
