The fishing-pole must remain, you cannot carry it.' "'But,--' I expostulated.
"'Hush!' said she with her ear turned towards the depths of the staircase at the top of which we stood.

'My father and brother will think as you do that it is folly to leave the shelter of a roof for the uncertainties of the road on such a night as this, but you must not heed them.

I tell you shelter this night is danger, and that the only safety to be found is on the stormy highway.' "And without waiting for my reply, she passed rapidly down stairs, pushed open a door at the bottom, and stepped at once into the room we had left an hour or so before.
"What was there in that room that for the first time struck an ominous chill as of distinct peril through my veins?
Nothing at first sight, everything at the second.

The fire which had not been allowed to die out, still burned brightly on the ruddy hearthstone, but it was not that which awakened my apprehension.

Nor was it the loud ticking clock on the mantel-piece with its hand pointing silently to the hour of eleven.