V. The Tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge

           Itwasnearlyeleveno’clockwhenwereachedthisfinalstageofournight’sadventures.Wehadleftthedampfogofthegreatcitybehindus,andthenightwasfairlyfine.Awarmwindblewfromthewestward,andheavycloudsmovedslowlyacrossthesky,withhalfamoonpeepingoccasionallythroughtherifts.Itwasclearenoughtoseeforsomedistance,butThaddeusSholtotookdownoneoftheside-lampsfromthecarriagetogiveusabetterlightuponourway.

           PondicherryLodgestoodinitsowngrounds,andwasgirtroundwithaveryhighstonewalltoppedwithbrokenglass.Asinglenarrowiron-clampeddoorformedtheonlymeansofentrance.Onthisourguideknockedwithapeculiarpostman-likerat-tat.

           “Whoisthere?”criedagruffvoicefromwithin.

           “ItisI,McMurdo.Yousurelyknowmyknockbythistime.”

           Therewasagrumblingsoundandaclankingandjarringofkeys.Thedoorswungheavilyback,andashort,deep-chestedmanstoodintheopening,withtheyellowlightofthelanternshininguponhisprotrudedfaceandtwinklingdistrustfuleyes.

           “Thatyou,Mr.Thaddeus?Butwhoaretheothers?Ihadnoordersaboutthemfromthemaster.”

           “No,McMurdo?Yousurpriseme!ItoldmybrotherlastnightthatIshouldbringsomefriends.”

           “Heain’tbeenouto’hisroomto-day,Mr.Thaddeus,andIhavenoorders.YouknowverywellthatImuststicktoregulations.Icanletyouin,butyourfriendsmustjuststopwheretheyare.”

           Thiswasanunexpectedobstacle.ThaddeusSholtolookedabouthiminaperplexedandhelplessmanner.“Thisistoobadofyou,McMurdo!”hesaid.