Another trolley-car, dismally clanging its gong, paused a moment at some near-by corner, and then passed noisily on.

The way seemed clear, the street utterly deserted, and, nerving myself to the effort, I crept cautiously forward, until I crouched behind the brick coping.

There was not a disturbing sound, and I straightened up, essaying the first quick step forth into the full gleam of the light.

Like some confronting ghost, scarcely more real than a phantom of imagination, I came face to face with a woman.
She had turned swiftly into the narrow gateway leading through the brick coping, hurrying silently as if pursued, her foot barely planted upon the step when we met.

I stopped, speechless, rigid, my outstretched hand gripping the rail, but the woman drew hastily back, her lips parted in a sudden sob of surprise, one hand flung out as if in self-protection.