which said almost as plainly as words, "It is none of your
business."

"Not there," said Matthew, now coming in.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, sir."

But there was a certain involuntary hesitation in the bar-keeper's
manner, which led to a suspicion that his answer was not in
accordance with the truth. We walked out together, conferring on
the subject, and both concluded that his word was not to be relied
upon.

"What is to be done?" was asked.

"Go to Green's room," I replied, "and knock at the door. If he is
there, he may answer, not suspecting your errand."

"Show me the room."

I went up with him, and pointed out No. 11. He knocked lightly,
but there came no sound from within. He repeated the knock; all
was silent. Again and again he knocked, but there came back only a
hollow reverberation.

"There's no one there," said he, returning to where I stood, and
we walked down-stairs together. On the landing, as we reached the
lower passage, we met Mrs. Slade. I had not, during this visit at