No one answered, and, seeing that it was ajar, Hester whisked in so hurriedly that her candle went out.

With an impatient exclamation at her carelessness she glided to the bed, drew the curtain, and put forth her hand to touch the sleeper.

The bed was empty.

A disagreeable thrill shot through her, as she assured herself of the fact by groping along the narrow bed.

Standing in the shadow of the curtain, she stared about the dusky room, in which objects were visible by the light of a new moon.
"Lord bless me, what is the boy about! I do believe it was him I saw in the--" She got no further in her mental exclamation for the sound of light approaching footsteps neared her.