He found his scalp creep as the thought struck him that perhaps the door to the hall was also held shut. He strode past the women, was about to attempt to open it when a renewed outburst of noise came from beyond the kitchen doors. A high-pitched cry of terror slashed the listeners’ eardrums. It was immediately followed by the scrabble of running footsteps. A body or at least something heavy seemed to be hurled at the kitchen doors so that they shook under the thunderous assault. And then with utterly nerve-racking effect, sustained shrieks of terror were heard, the protests of someone driven beyond the edge of reason, pitched so high that it was impossible to decide if they originated from man or woman. They died away as if a poor wretch was being dragged screaming to the fires of Hell.

Paul found himself scraping the back of his hand across his jaw. His teeth were ground together, his lips drawn back. Ann and Joyce gripped each other, their trembling so extreme it was probable they found difficulty in standing upright. Carol’s eyes showed white all round her staring pupils. Her hands gripped the sides of her head, the fingers buried in her hair. Her teeth chattered.

Paul seized himself mentally by the scruff of the neck. He tried the door to the hall. It came inwards. Outside the hall was dark again. The oil-lamp was out once more. A moving light at the top of the stair caught his searching eye. Pollard’s voice came from the gallery.

‘What in God’s name was that? Wilson, are you all right down there?’

‘Pollard! Waken everyone. Get them down here.’

He heard Pollard call to someone. Panting as fiercely as if he had been sprinting, he sent his torch beam along the dark passageway beside the staircase that led to the rear premises. There was another entrance to the kitchen down there. Was it also held shut against them? It was certain he wasn’t going to test it until the others had come down to join him. He knew he should cross the hall to light the lamp again – why did it keep going out? – but again he held his ground at the threshold to the dining-room. Behind him the women pressed against him. He knew they would be keeping an eye on the double doors leading to the kitchen. Carol was pressed so closely against him that he could feel the violent trembling of her body.