, and when had the final stage occurred? That day when his frantic note was received⁠—he had been nervous all the morning, then there was an alteration. He had slipped out unseen and swaggered boldly in past the men hired to guard him. That was the time, when he was out. But no⁠—had he not cried out in terror as he entered his study⁠—this very room? What had he found there? Or wait⁠— what had found him? That simulacrum which brushed boldly in without having been seen to go⁠—was that an alien shadow and a horror forcing itself upon a trembling figure which had never gone out at all? Had not the butler spoken of queer noises?