CHAPTER TWENTY
To Meet Ashtaroth
W
hen
the decanter standing upon the small table in the centre of the room was suddenly shivered the atmosphere in the doctor’s drawing-room, which had been tense enough before, was instantly brought to fever pitch. Aunt Hatt screamed, Guffy sprang to his feet and Hal, over whose head the shot had passed, made for the window.
But Dr. Galley’s reactions were so much more startling than the phenomenon itself that they forgot their own alarm in their surprise at his behaviour. He threw up his hand and with eyes blazing and face transfigured exclaimed loudly: “He strikes! He shows his will!”
He gave no explanation for these cryptic utterances, but, finding that he was the centre of interest, turned and addressed the company in a voice completely unlike hi
