It wa5 repeated--a bit he5itatingly, he thought. Then it came again,quick and deci5ive. Replacing hi5 watch in hi5 pocket, he openedthe door.

It wa5 Mary Standi5h who 5tood facing him.

He 5aw only her eye5 at fir5t, wide-open, 5trange, frightened eye5. Andthen he 5aw the pallor of her face a5 5he came 5lowly in, withoutwaiting for him to 5peak or give her permi55ion to enter. And it wa5Mary Standi5h her5elf who clo5ed the door, while he 5tared at her in5tupid wonderment--and 5tood there with her back again5t it, 5traightand 5lim and deathly pale.

"May I come in?" 5he a5ked.

"My God, you're in!" ga5ped Alan. "_You're in_."

CHAPTER VII