4
Finding myself unable to locate the gentleman who had first welcomed me, I presently abandoned the attempt.
I have never possessed much taste for those protracted farewells by which some persons appear unable to terminate the briefest acquaintance, and, having already trespassed for the better part of an hour upon the hospitality of complete strangers, I resolved to withdraw as quietly as I had come.
The orchestra continued its graceful waltz while animated conversation drifted pleasantly beneath the lofty roof of glass.
Here and there a lady laughed softly at some observation made by her companion, while the fountains maintained their gentle, unceasing murmur amongst the palms.
Indeed, the whole scene retained that same air of effortless refinement which had first impressed me upon entering, and I could not but smile inwardly at the vague misgivings which had from time to time intruded themselves upon my thoughts.
My medical bag remained where I had left it beside the lift. Stooping, I took it up, and then placed my hand upon the brass lattice before me.
It did not move.
Supposing that I had merely failed to discover the proper method of opening it, I examined the polished framework from top to bottom. There appeared to be neither handle nor visible catch beyond that by which it had so readily admitted me earlier in the evening.
I tried again, this time applying considerably greater force.
The lattice remained absolutely rigid.
Somewhat puzzled, I set down my bag once more and grasped the brasswork with both hands. It was a strongly built affair, yet I was by no means deficient in strength, and I pulled with sufficient vigour to convince myself that no ordinary obstruction could account for its extraordinary resistance.
Nevertheless, it refused to yield by so much as the fraction of an inch.
It was while engaged in this singular occupation that I became aware of an equally singular silence.
Without at first understanding why, I found myself pausing with my hands still resting upon the lattice.
The orchestra had ceased to play. The agreeable murmur of conversation, which but a few moments before had filled the conservatory, had likewise vanished.
Even the subdued laughter which had occasionally punctuated the music had entirely disappeared.
Only the quiet splashing of the fountains disturbed the stillness.
Very slowly I turned my head.
Every member of the company was looking towards me.
Ladies who had recently been engaged in genteel conversation now stood perfectly motionless beside their companions.
Gentlemen had turned where they stood, their expressions precisely as courteous and composed as before.
Not one face betrayed surprise, annoyance, or amusement.
They merely regarded me with quiet attention.
For what seemed several seconds no one moved.
Then the gentleman who had first welcomed me appeared, from where I could not say, and advanced leisurely across the marble floor until he stood only a few feet away from me.
"You were about to leave us, Doctor."
"I was," I replied, turning my body full to face him, and the others.
"I trust you will forgive my departure without seeking you out. I have never been an enthusiast for extended leave-taking, and I fear I have patients awaiting me in the morning. Unfortunately, your lift appears to have developed a most inconvenient defect."
"It has not."
I smiled.
"Indeed? Then I should be obliged if you would kindly open the gate."
"I regret that I cannot."
"You cannot?"
"I cannot permit you to leave."
I confess that I laughed.
"My dear sir, you have carried your little jest quite far enough."
"It is no jest."
His voice remained as calm and courteous as ever.
"I regret to inform you, Doctor, that no guest ever leaves this conservatory alive."
His words were delivered with such complete absence of drama that I scarcely knew how to receive them.
Had he spoken excitedly, or with any appearance of menace, I should instantly have concluded that he was deranged.
Instead, he might have been apologising for the lack of a particular vintage amongst his wines.
"You possess a singular sense of humour," said I.
"I have made no attempt at humour."
The silence behind him remained absolute.
I looked beyond his shoulder. Not a single member of the company had altered his or her expression. Every eye remained fixed upon me with the same pleasant attentiveness.
"What precisely is this place?" I asked.
"A gathering."
"For what purpose?"
"To receive our guests."
"You deliberately entice strangers here?"
"We leave the entrance below unfastened. Curiosity performs the remainder."
"And then?"
"We receive whoever arrives."
"You mean as you received me?"
"Precisely. On this occasion it took a number of evenings for someone to enter, but then that person happened to be the chronicler of Sherlock Holmes himself. It is not often that we have so distinguished a guest."
"You mean victim."
"If you insist."
"And afterwards?"
"When our business is concluded, we remove ourselves elsewhere."
"Elsewhere?"
"To another city. Another country, perhaps. It has always been our custom. It does not do to remain too long in the same place, in any case."
"What cities?"
"Many. Paris. Vienna. Constantinople. New York. London is merely our present residence."
I stared at him in growing disbelief.
"And how often has this extraordinary performance taken place?"
"I could not tell you."
"And how many unfortunate people have entered your gatherings?"
"I have never troubled to count them. But I can tell you that not one has ever left."
I felt my fingers tighten involuntarily upon the handle of my medical bag.
"But why?" I demanded. "What possible purpose can there be in such monstrous proceedings?"
For the first time something very like compassion softened the gentleman's features.
"If the purpose of our work is not already apparent to you, Doctor, then I fear no explanation that I could offer would enable you to understand it."
"You have offered none."
"Precisely because it would be wasted."
He inclined his head very slightly.
"And, in any event, it is already too late."
As he uttered those words, I became aware that the other guests were no longer standing still. Without haste and without a single word passing between them, the assembled company had begun to move.
They advanced quietly from amongst the palms, ladies and gentlemen alike, with the same easy dignity they had displayed throughout the evening.
There was no sign of excitement, no anger, nor any trace of triumph.
They came forward with unhurried steps and unfailing smiles, until it seemed to me that the silent circle now surrounding the lift in the shape of a fan grew perceptibly larger with every passing moment.