but, such as it was, it had a mysterious and questionable sound.

The person next door was an English gentleman of extraordinary

wealth, and proportionately eccentric in his tastes and habits. He

possessed great collections, which he kept in the house beside him;

and it was to protect these that he had fitted the place with steel

shutters, elaborate fastenings, and CHEVAUX-DE-FRISE along the

garden wall. He lived much alone, in spite of some strange

visitors with whom, it seemed, he had business to transact; and