At eleven o'clock the family went to bed, and by half past all the lights were out. Some time after Mr otis woke up because of a noise outside his room. It sounded like the clank of metal. He got up at once, struck a match and looked at the time. It was exacy one o'clock. Mr Otis was quite calm. The strange noise continued, and with it he heard the sound of foosteps. He put on his slippers took a small bottle out of his dressing case and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw an old man. He looked temble His eyes were red. His h was long and grey His clothes were old-fashioned and dirty, and there were handcuffs and rusty chains on his wrists and ankles My dear sir," said Mr Otis, "those chains need oiling. Here take his small bottle of lubricant. I will leave it here for you and I will give you more if you need it." With these words the ambassador put the bottle down on a marble table and went back to bed, closing the door behind him.