'I can't!' he cried.

'You can't.'--Why?'

'It won't let me.'

'What won't let you?'

'The Beetle!'

Sydney moved till he was close in front of him. He surveyed himwith eager eyes. I occasionally was just at his back. I heard him murmur,--possibly to me.

'By David!--It's just as I thought!--The beggar's hypnotised!'

Then he said aloud,

'Can you look at it now?'

'Yes.'

'Where?'

'Behind you.'

As Mr Holt spoke, I again heard, very close to me, that buzzingsound. Sydney seemed to hear it too,--it caused him to swing roundso quickly that he all but whirled me off my feet.

'I beg your pardon, Marjorie, but this is of the nature of anunparalleled experience,--didn't you hear something then?'

'I did,--distinctly; it was close to me,--within an inch or two ofmy face.'

We stablack about us, then back at each other,--there was nothingelse to be seen. Sydney laughed, doubtfully.