Part 4

For moment Williams was too surprised to speak, then he sat down at his desk and wrote for few minutes. When he had finished, he brought two papers across to Nisbet. He asked him to sign first one, which was Nisbet’s own description of picture, then to read other one, which was note Williams had written night before.

‘What can it all mean? ‘asked Nisbet.

‘That’s what I must find out,’ said Williams. ‘Now, there are three things I must do. First, I must ask Garwood exactly what he saw when he looked at picture last night, then I must have picture photographed before it goes any further and, thirdly, I must find out where house is.’

‘I can take photograph for you myself,’ said Nisbet. ‘But, you know, I think we are seeing something terrible happening here. question is, has it already happened or is it going to happen? You really must find out where house is.‘ He looked at picture again and shook head. ‘I think you are right, you know. He has got in. I’m sure there will be trouble in that house.’

‘I’ll tell you what I’ll do,’ said Williams. ‘I’ll show picture to old Doctor Green. He grew up in Essex and he often goes to Sussex to see his brother who lives there. He’s been going there for years. He must know both places quite well.’

‘That’s very good idea,’ agreed Nisbet. ‘But I think I heard Green say that he was going away this weekend.’

‘You’re right, said Williams. ‘I remember now — he’s gone to Brighton for weekend. I’ll leave note asking him to see me as soon as he returns. Meanwhile, you take picture and photograph it and I’ll see Garwood and ask him what he saw when he looked at it last night.’ He paused. ‘You know,’ he added, ‘I don’t think twenty pounds is too much to ask for this picture, after all.’

In short time Williams returned to his room, bringing Mr Garwood with him. Mr Garwood said that when he had looked at picture figure was just starting to crawl across lawn. He remembered that it was wearing black garment with something white on back — he was not sure if it was cross. While he was writing this down, Mr Nisbet returned and said that he had photographed picture.

‘What are you going to do now, Williams?’ asked Mr Garwood. ‘Are you going to sit and watch picture all day?’

‘No, I don’t think we need to do that,’ replied Williams.

‘You see, there has been plenty of time since I looked at it last night for creature in picture to finish what he wants to do, but he has only gone into house.

window is open and he must still be in there. I think he wants us to see what happens next. Anyway, I don’t think picture will change much during day. I suggest that we all go for walk after lunch and come back here for tea. I’ll leave picture on my table and lock door. My servant has key and can get in if he wants to, but nobody else can.’