For one instant the thought floated through his mind "Shall I go back ?" But he made no answer and began listening at the old woman's door, a dead silence.

Then he listened again on the staircase, listened long and intently...
then looked about him for the last time, pulled himself together, drew himself up, and once more tried the axe in the noose.

"Am I very pale ?" he wondered.

"Am I not evidently agitated?
She is mistrustful....

Had I better wait a little longer...