It paused a little, and seemed to look about; and then, at a slow pace, and bent almost double, it began to draw near across the heath.

At every step the bell clanked.

Face, it had none; a white hood, not even pierced with eye-holes, veiled the head; and as the creature moved, it seemed to feel its way with the tapping of a stick.
Fear fell upon the lads, as cold as death.
"A leper!" said Dick, hoarsely.
"His touch is death," said Matcham.

"Let us run." "Not so," returned Dick.

"See ye not ?--he is stone blind.