For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, after all.

Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, that we were in the country.

I paced up and down the room, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee.
"Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open.

The woman was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and beautiful face.

I could see at a glance that she was sick with fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart.