The woman, who was French, spoke a little English, and her French was of a sort which Caius could understand and answer.

She placed a chair for him by the heated stove, asked where Mr.
O'Shea and the cart had tarried, listened with great interest to a brief account of the accident in the quicksand, and, without more delay, poured out hot strong coffee, which Caius drank out of a large bowl.
"Are you alone in the house ?" asked Caius.

The impression was strong upon him that he was in a place where the people bore a dangerous or mysterious character.

A woman to be alone, with open doors, must either be in league with those from whom danger might be feared, or must possess mysterious powers of self-defence.
The woman assured him that she was alone, and perfectly safe.

She gave a kindly and careful glance at the traveller's boots, which had been wet, and brought him another pair.