Without thinking of what I was doing, or being conscious of any reason for it, I crossed the room and set light to the fire.

Then I blew out the candle and came to the window again.

I never thought it might be a foolish thing to do--to stand at a window with a light behind me in this country, where every man carries a gun with him always.

I was in my evening clothes, too, with my breast well marked by a white shirt.

I opened the window and stepped out on the terrace.