Laura's just imagining things, but we'll humor her.
If there's any trouble with the chimney, why, we'll get a bricklayer and pull it down." "Miss Killigrew may have some real cause for alarm.

I saw a man, or rather, I heard him, running, as I came up the road from the gates.

I called to him, but he did not answer." "Is that so?
Wasn't the porter at the gates when you came in ?" "No.

The footpath was free." "This begins to look serious.

If the porter isn't there the gate bell rings, I can open it myself by wire.