Now Rene sought to recall the details of a strange dream which he
had dreamed immediately before awakening on the previous night;
but he sought in vain. His memory could supply only blurred
images. There had been a safe in his dream, and he--was it he or
another?--had unlocked it. Also there had been an enormous ivory
Buddha. . . . Yet, stay! it had not been enormous; it had
been. . .
He groaned at his own impotency to recall the circumstances of
that mysterious, perhaps prophetic dream; then in despair he gave
it up, and stooping to a little secretaire, unlocked it with the
idea of sending a note round to Annesley's chambers. As he did
so he uttered a loud cry.
Lying in one of the pigeon-holes was a long piece of black silk,
apparently torn from the lining of an opera hat. In it two holes
were cut as if it were intended to be used as a mask. Beside it
lay a little leather-covered box. He snatched it out and opened
it. It was empty!
"Am I going mad?" he groaned. "Or------"
"You are wanted on the 'phone, sir."
It was the butler who had interrupted him. Rene descended to the
telephone, dazedly, but, recognizing the voice of Annesley,
roused himself.
"I'm leaving town to-night, Deacon," said Annesley, "for--well,
many reasons.
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