And even this snow upon the floors had no tracks upon its surface.

There was no sign of life.
Awed, appalled, the two men stood, white and huge, in the middle of the abandoned room, listening for that which they scarce expected to hear.
Yet from one of the side rooms they caught a moan, a call, a supplication.

Then from a door came a tall and white-faced figure with staring eyes, which held out its arms to the taller of the snow-shrouded forms and said: "Uncle, is it you?
Have you come back?
We were so afraid!" From the room behind this figure came a voice sobbing, shouting, blessing the name of the Lord.

So they knew that two were saved, and one was missing.
They pushed into the remaining room.

"Auntie went away," said the tall and white-faced figure, shuddering and shivering.