‘Twenty-five past four. May I suggest that we all try to get some rest before morning. Let us try to have breakfast at nine. Afterwards we will meet in the lounge.’ His face grave, he continued: ‘I feel we should then try to think of some means of getting out of here.’

‘I’m not sure that’s possible,’ said Pollard.

‘Nevertheless I feel we ought to re-examine the possibilities carefully. Even to take some risk may be preferable to staying on here.’

‘Rubbish!’ Bourne’s voice was almost petulant. ‘You are being quite needlessly alarmist. Quite irresponsibly so. I intend to continue the programme of experiments we agreed on.’

Paul thought Meredith looked exhausted. The older man shrugged.

‘Very well. You must do as you see fit. But we will discuss the matter again after breakfast.’ He paused. ‘After we have all heard that tape. And at the risk of being called a scaremonger, may I suggest that whenever possible we keep in pairs.’

With a snort of contempt Bourne turned on his heel and strode from the room. The others followed but more thoughtfully. Meredith, his eyes troubled, turned to Paul and Carol.

‘Try to get some rest. Why not refill those hot-water bottles.’ He smiled briefly. ‘See you in the morning.’

After he’d gone, Paul dug the bottles out of the disturbed bed.

‘You carry the oil-lamp,’ he suggested.

She nodded. He knew nothing could have kept her from accompanying him downstairs.

In the old kitchen, while the kettles boiled on the bright hissing calor gas flames, he stood as he had stood in the bedroom with his arms round her, both of them facing the stove. Neither spoke until the kettle lids began to rattle under the steam pressure. As he moved to empty the bottles she said:

‘Paul, I wasn’t asleep. I didn’t dream it.’

He looked at her, at the wide blue eyes shadowed beneath by shock. Holding the kettle handle by means of a dish-towel he began to pour the water into the first bottle. What do I say? he thought. If I say I believe her she’ll take it that indeed there was something ghastly in that bed. If I pooh-pooh the idea – like that bastard Bourne – she’ll feel I believe she was stupidly hysterical.

‘Darling, I believe you. But what it means I simply do not know.’

‘What was that tape Meredith mentioned?’

‘Some sounds we heard. That’s why I was up in the first place.’

‘Sounds?’

‘Yes. You’ll hear them in the morning.’ He began to fill the second bottle. She took in a deep breath.

‘The morning can’t come too soon. Paul, promise me you won’t leave me alone. If I wake again in that damned room and find you gone – ’

‘Don’t worry, darling. I’ll stick close to you.’