The road along which I trudged ran straight to the sea, the distant roar of which was already in my ears, and the wet wind which blew in my face was salt and refreshing.

It was a little after two in the morning, and the darkness would have been absolute, but for a watery moon, which every now and then gave a fitful light.

For a mile or more I walked with steady, unflagging footsteps.

Then suddenly I found myself slackening my pace.
I walked slower and slower.

At last I stopped.
About fifty yards farther on my left was Braster Grange.