They will be here before long, if they find it convenient to have an extra room at their disposal.' This announcement decided Henry on exploring the hiding-place, before the interruption occurred.

It had crossed his mind, when Agnes left him, that he ought perhaps to have a witness, in the not very probable event of some alarming discovery taking place.

The too-familiar manager, suspecting nothing, was there at his disposal.

He turned again to the Caryan figure, maliciously resolving to make the manager his witness.
'I am delighted to hear that our friends have arrived at last,' he said.

'Before I shake hands with them, let me ask you a question about this queer work of art here.