The air seemed to have the taint of death in it, and he crossed over to one of the windows and flung it up.
The window looked out on the sea, though far above it, but the slope of the house embraced in the view a portion of the cliffs at the side.

As Mr.
Brimsdown stood so, breathing the sea air and looking around him, he espied a woman, closely veiled, walking rapidly across the cliffs in the direction of the house.
She vanished from the range of his vision almost immediately, but a few minutes later he heard footsteps and an opening door.

He was again confronted by the presence of Thalassa on the threshold.

But this time Thalassa did not linger.

"Somebody to see you," he announced with gruff brevity, and turned away.
The open door now revealed the figure of the woman he had seen outside.
She advanced into the room.
"Mr.Brimsdown ?" she said.
"That is my name," said the lawyer, eyeing her in some surprise.