The housemaid screamed for help.

I was put down gently on the sand, and the strange man instantly disappeared in the darkness.
When this extraordinary adventure was related to my aunt, she seemed at first merely bewildered at hearing of it; but in a moment more there came a change over her face, as if she had suddenly recollected or thought of something.

She turned deadly pale, and said, in a hurried way, very unusual with her: "Never mind; don't talk about it any more.

It was only a mischievous trick to frighten you, I dare say.

Forget all about it, my dear--forget all about it." It was easier to give this advice than to make me follow it.