The contrast of what life had undoubtedly been to its inmates, and what it would now become through the medium of this unwelcome message I bore, struck me with new force.

My mission became instantly a hateful thing, yet I only set my lips tighter, determined to end it as quickly as possible.
By groping about with my feet I succeeded in discovering the path of which Pete had spoken, and managed with difficulty to follow it slowly.
Winding in and out amid shrubbery, and what may have been reserved for flower beds, this ended at a side door, which was locked.

Discovering this fact, and that it resisted all efforts at opening, I turned once more toward the front, and advanced in that direction, securely hidden by the dense shadow of the house.

All about me was silence, not even the sound of a voice or the flap of a wing breaking the intense stillness of the night.

I almost imagined I heard the murmur of the distant river, but this was probably the night breeze sighing through the tree branches.