"'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly.
     "'Why, what did you think?' I asked.
     "'Why do you think that I lock this door?'
     "'I am sure that I do not know.'
     "'It is to keep people out who have no Business there. Do you see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner.
     "'I am sure if I had known --'
     "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that threshold again' -- here in an instant the smile hardened into a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a demon -- 'I'll throw you to the mastiff.'
     "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man of the woman, of the servants, even of the chi............