The Riddle of the Frozen Flame

warm smoking room with twelve sonorous, deep-throated notes. At sound of them Merriton got to his feet and stretched his hands above his head. A damper had fallen over

r, and then if he doesn't come we'll make a move for bed. He'll be playing some beastly trick upon us, you may be sure of that. What a horrible temperament the man has! He was supposed to be putting up with th

k his white head with a

n of his word, drunk or sober. He'll come back,

hands in mock horror. "Nigel, m'lad, you've made an early conversion. The good doc

fered Wynne a bed in the first place, but he saw fit to refuse me. If he hasn't made use of this opportunity

e's ear was strained for the front-door bell, and everyone had an eye half-cocked toward the window. B

d, brought in some whisky an

vening-or rather morning, I should say, for it's after midnight-and the other gentlemen and myself are going to make a mo

d suddenly gray, and the perspi

voice. "Oh my Gawd, sir. It's-it's suicide, that's what it i

laughed

are ready for 'em. Doctor Bartholomew has the one next to mine, and Mr. West's is on the other sid

drab shade and he was trembling like a

like unstrung wires. Hardly ever seen a chap so frightened in all the course of my medical career. He's either had experienc

much merriment in it, rather a note of uneasine

I'm as jumpy as a kitten myself. Take it from me, Wynne will return, Nigel, and when he does he'll see to it that we all hear him. He'll probably break every pane of glass in the place wi

f-dusk of the spluttering candles, they stood together at the uncurtained window and looked out in silence upon the flames, the Frozen Flames

o do, I don't really think we need put any credence in the story that he

Then he yawned

ot of scared old women. Heigho! I'm tired.... You're interested in firearms, Doctor. Here's my little pet, my sleepin' companion, you understand, that has been with me through many a hot campaign." He leaned over and took a little revolver out of the drawer

t loaded, my boy,

ton l

volver in the jungle where every black man's h

very busines

n upon the top of the cabinet and turning to the doctor with a smile. "I suppose you'll be t

the doctor, returning the smil

gh the door to his own room,

is fist at them and then broke into a harsh laugh as the thought of Dacre Wynne came to him again. Dash the fellow! He was always, in some way or another, intruding upon his privacy, whether it was mental or otherwise. Then,

en suddenly, obsessed with a strange fear, strod

w open took aim, his brain on fire with the champagne and the excitement

his brain cleared like magic. He laughed and shook himself as though out of a trance into which he had fallen. The light was still there. What a fool he was, p

ard a shot, N

Merriton, shamefacedly. "For Heaven's sake, don't tell the other fellows. They'll

must say I've taken a chance shot now and again at a bird myself from my bedroom before now. Still, get to bed, Nigel, like a good fello

g more normally and the doctor nodded

d-ni

Merriton tumbled into bed. He slept like a log.... He hadn't seen the doctor drop that slee

cause of grave difficulty. For when he related the story of the whole affair to Cleek's master mind he left t