The room was dark except for a patch of uncertain light towards the left. I had an impression of several motionless figures sitting around, and I saw a ghastly distorted face in the dim light. It seemed to have no body. It made my blood run cold. I almost cried out, though I guessed there was trickery in it.
The voice ceased when we opened the door. There was a silence, then Mrs. Julian’s voice, sharp and angry, demanding:
“Who is it? How dare you come in here?”
“Sorry, Aline,” said Mme. Storey calmly. “I had to speak to you.”
Mrs. Julian did not instantly recognise the voice. She continued to cry: “Get out! Get out!” The strange figure in the middle of the room broke in sulkily: “It is useless. Everything is spoiled now. You had better turn on the light.”
Mme. Storey pressed the swit
