mattresses, was the first of my possessions to be unpacked on my arrival;

and I had set it up majestically in the living-room, on top of an old

rosewood console which had belonged to my great-grandmother.

The door of my bedroom was just opposite that of the living-room, with a

hallway between; and I had noticed that by looking into my chiffonier

glass I could see the larger mirror through the two doorways - which was

exactly like glancing down an endless, though diminishing, corridor. On

this Thursday morning I thought I saw a curious suggestion of motion down

that normally empty corridor - but, as I have said, soon dismissed the

notion.

When I reached the dining-room I found everyone complaining of the cold,

and learned that the school's heating-plant was temporarily out of order.

Being especially sensitive to low temperatures, I was myself an acute

sufferer; and at once decided not to brave any freezing schoolroom that

day. Accordingly I invited my class to come over to my living-room for an

informal session around my grate-fire - a suggestion which the boys

received enthusiastically.

After the session one of the boys, Robert Grandison, asked if he might

remain; since he had no appointment for the second morning period. I told

him to stay, and welcome. He sat down to study in front of the fireplace

in a comfortable chair.

It was not long, however, before Robert moved to another chair somewhat

farther away from the freshly replenished blaze, this change bringing him

directly opposite the old mirror. From my own chair in another part of the