Sax Rohmer

“ It's someone who would be recognized?”
Harley nodded grimly.
“Latham,” he said, “for many nights past, someone has come into this room and the library, after everyone else was in bed. Yet, never a bell of the alarm rings. There was someone in Van Dean's study earlier tonight.”
“You're right there, Harley,” Latham agreed. “Dear old Rex! Poor brave old chap. It was——”
He ceased speaking and stared wildly at Harley. From the library below had come a piercing shriek. There came a second, a third! Latham dashed open the study door and he and Harley raced down into the library. ”

“ It was distinct. The night's as black as the Pit; there's a devil of a storm brewing. I couldn't read the message; it wasn't in plain Morse. But I do know that it was intended for someone here in the Abbey!”
“How do you know?”
“It was answered.”
“Answered! By whom?”
Harley lowered his voice.
“By someone in this room!” he replied. “Someone who was in this room at the time that you and Miss Westbury were in the library, below!”
“Good God!” muttered Latham. “Are you sure?” ”

“ Turning to Phil Westbury he said, “Really, you mustn't go, tonight.”
Jim Westbury, whose face wore its most gloomy expression, had listened dully to this conversation.
“I wonder if I dare take a pull at the old pipe?” he inquired. “Anybody mind me smoking a pipe in the library, Van Dean?
“The ladies are used to it,” was the reply. ”

“ Come along, you can smoke in the drawing room if you like. We've got a lot of new gramophone records you haven't heard.”
The two withdrew. And Harley, crossing to Latham, whispered, “I want a word with you. Come up to the study.”
Latham exchanged a quick glance with Phil Westbury and then followed Harley up the stairs to the study. Switching on the light, Harley closed the door and faced the other. ”

“ Throughout the ensuing moments that he stood at the telephone Burton van Dean watched him in almost agonized suspense; for he was a man come near to the end of his resources, a man who had suffered much and bravely. Even had he not been so intent upon the telephone conversation, it is doubtful if he would have detected the fact that the door of the study had been slightly opened, as though someone within listened to the speaker at the telephone in the library.
“Good, Innes!” Harley was saying. “Is that all? ”