It seemed as if I had been traveling for hours, when at last I felt the big wall, and saw its dim bulk rising above me and stretching away into the night.

Cautiously I groped along its base until my hands felt the iron bars of the gate.

Then I stood for some moments leaning against them, quite out of breath.

They were cold and wet, and chilled me to a shiver when I touched them.

I peered toward the house but could see nothing.