Thus we passed some dozen houses or so, in a row, and paused opposite the little gate.

I saw that the shutters were closed, or at least all but one or two, which were partly ajar.

Something said to me that it would be as well for me to turn back.
I might as well have done so.

We passed up the little walk, and I raised the knocker at the door; but even as it sounded I knew what would happen.

There came to me that curious feeling which one experiences when one knocks at the door of a house which lacks human occupancy.