It was probably this inclination that led me to another
discovery, for when I tried to bring my rifle from behind my back
to raise it and have it pointed at the door ready to fire, I found
that I was powerless to move. The muscles, paralysed by this
strange fear, refused to obey the will. Here indeed was a
terrifying complication!
There was a faint sound of rattling at the brass knob, and the
door was pushed open a couple of inches. A pause of a few seconds,
and it was pushed open still further. Without a sound of footsteps
that was appreciable to my ears, the two figures glided into the
room, and the man behind gently closed the door after him.
They were alone with me between the four walls. Could they see
me standing there, so still and straight in my corner? Had they,
perha
