It was a hut of some size, but had a deserted appearance.

It stood between two ridges of low sand hills, and the sand had drifted till it was halfway up the walls.

There was no garden or inclosure round it, and any passerby would have concluded that it was uninhabited.

The shutters were closed, and no gleam of light showed from within.
After stepping carefully round it, Francis took his post round the angle close to the door, and waited.

Presently he heard footsteps approaching--three knocks were given on the door, and a voice within asked, "Who is there ?" The reply was, "One who is in distress." The question came, "What ails you ?" And the answer, "All is wrong within." Then there was a sound of bars being withdrawn, and the door opened and closed again.
There were four other arrivals.