Dr. Armstrong said violently: «We must get out of here – we must – we must! At all costs!»

Mr. Justice Wargrave looked thoughtfully out of the smoking-room window. He played with the cord of his eye-glasses. He said:

«I do not, of course, profess to be a weather prophet. But I should say that it is very unlikely that a boat could reach us – even if they knew of our plight – under twenty-four hours – and even then only if the wind drops.»

Dr. Armstrong dropped his head in his hands and groaned.

He said: «And in the meantime we may all be murdered in our beds?»

«I hope not,» said Mr. Justice Wargrave. «I intend to take every possible precaution against such a thing happening.»

It flashed across Dr. Armstrong’s mind that an old man like the judge, was far more tenacious of life than a younger man would be. He had often marvelled at that fact in his professional career. Here was he, junior to the judge by perhaps twenty years, and yet with a vastly inferior sense of self-preservation.

Mr. Justice Wargrave was thinking:

«Murdered in our beds! These doctors are all the same – they think in clichiis. A thoroughly commonplace mind.»

The doctor said: «There have been three victims already, remember.»

«Certainly. But you must remember that they were unprepared for the attack. We are forewarned.»

Dr. Armstrong said bitterly: «What can we do? Sooner or later —»

«I think,» said Mr. Justice Wargrave, «that there are several things we can do.»

Armstrong said: «We’ve no idea, even, who it can be —»

The judge stroked his chin and murmured:

«Oh, you know, I wouldn’t quite say that.»

Armstrong stared at him.

«Do you mean you know?»

Mr. Justice Wargrave said cautiously: «As regards actual evidence, such as is necessary in court, I admit that I have none. But it appears to me, reviewing the whole business, that one particular person is sufficiently clearly indicated. Yes, I think so.»

Armstrong stared at him.

He said: «I don’t understand.»