Explore "The Hand in the Dark" by Arthur J. Rees on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears. He turned and saw Tufnell standing at the half-open door. The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
"I beg your pardon, sir," he said, and his trepidation was apparent in his voice. "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"