At all costs they must spend the night there.
They selected a cottage whiter and neater than the others, which stood at a corner, where a narrow lane turned southward.

Its thatched roof had been lately repaired, and starched curtains of a dazzling whiteness decorated the small, closely-shut windows.

Likewise it had a green door and a polished brass knocker.
Tacitly the duty of envoy was entrusted to Mr.McCunn.

Leaving the other at the gate, he advanced up the little path lined with quartz stones, and politely but firmly dropped the brass knocker.

He must have been observed, for ere the noise had ceased the door opened, and an elderly woman stood before him.