Presently he came into a deserted garden, overgrown with rank weeds and unclipped shrubs.

He hoped devoutly that the scorpions and tarantulas would await the passing of the sunset chill in their lairs.

To all seeming they did, for he pushed through the garden without mishap, and came to the house.
It was a four-square, two-storied building, with something of the air of a fortress, a useful abode in those once brigand-ridden hills, some old-time gentleman's country-seat; a mat of creepers covered it to its tiled roof.

The side near him was dark; and from the back came the voices of three stablemen about their business.

He stole round to the front; and that too was dark.