The Dictator had not come to attack, but to observe; his action was
not that of a man threatening another, but that of a man who was
himself threatened; if Mr. Rolles was afraid of him, it appeared
that he, in his turn, was not quite easy on the score of Mr.
Rolles. He had come, it would seem, to make sure that his only
fellow-traveller was asleep; and, when satisfied on that point, he
had at once withdrawn.
The clergyman leaped to his feet. The extreme of terror had given
place to a reaction of foolhardy daring. He reflected that the
rattle of the flying train concealed all other sounds, and
determined, come what might, to return the visit he had just
received. Divesting himself of his cloak, which might have
interfered with the freedom of his action, he entered the lavatory
and paused to listen. As he had expected, there was nothing to be
heard above the roar of the train's progress; and laying his hand
on the door at the farther side, he proceeded cautiously to draw it
back for about six inches. Then he stopped, and could not contain
an ejaculation of surprise.
John Vandeleur wore a fur travelling cap with lappets to protect
his ears; and this may have combined with the sound of the express
to keep him in ignorance of what was going forward. It is certain,
at least, that he did not raise his head, but continued without
interruption to pursue his strange employment.
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