CHAPTER TWOWhen they reached the library, the panel was open and Novella stepped through it.
The stranger followed her and then, as he straightened himself, he stumbled.
She realised that, although he had been talking sensibly since he awoke, he was in fact completely exhausted.
Without saying anything she went ahead along the passage that led to the hall.
Only when she reached the staircase did she ask anxiously,
“Do you think you can climb the stairs?”
“Yes of course,” he answered. “I am all right – only a little tired.”
She knew that was a very mild way of putting it.
She went up the stairs and was aware that, as he followed her, he was dragging himself up by the banisters, holding his injured arm against his body.
Novella was relieved to see that, although it was still bleedin
