Forrest was first to recover the power of speech.

He called out to Cecil from the other end of the room.
"Shut the door! Shut it, I say!" Cecil took a quick step forward.

Before he could reach the door, however, the girl had thrown her arms round his waist.
"You shall not close it," she cried.
"Who is it coming ?" Cecil cried panting.
"God knows!" she answered.

"They say the ghosts walk here." He strove to loosen himself from her grasp, but he was powerless.
Nevertheless he got a little nearer to the door.

Forrest came swiftly across the room.