Git yer duds, an' I 'll light up, so yer kin see a bit." He disappeared, and I lugged the grips to the top of the steps, where we waited.

Then a faint light streamed out through the open door, a moment later outlining his figure.
"Come on in," he said, still gruffly.

"Yer don't need be afeerd o' me, mam, and the housekeeper be yere directly." I confess I entered the dim hall reluctantly, obsessed by some strange premonition of danger, but Mrs.Bernard clung to me, and the sight of her white face gave me new courage..