She had decided that she would spend the next morning answering advertisements in the papers that abounded in the writing-room; and so, after half an hour’s perusal of back numbers of the Sketch in the drawingroom, she had gone to bed. An audible crack sounded in the kitchen and Mark slumped backwards, unconscious. I am not comfortable,’ complained Madame Valade. Melusine turned and turned, unable to imagine just where the secret door could be. Gregory B.