Always there was this feeling of an unseen force, a fine net drawn round us with infinite skill and delicacy, holding us so lightly that it was only at some supreme moment that one realized that one was indeed entangled in its meshes.
If there was one report there might be others, so I looked round the hut in search of them.

There was no trace, however, of anything of the kind, nor could I discover any sign which might indicate the character or intentions of the man who lived in this singular place, save that he must be of Spartan habits and cared little for the comforts of life.
When I thought of the heavy rains and looked at the gaping roof I understood how strong and immutable must be the purpose which had kept him in that inhospitable abode.

Was he our malignant enemy, or was he by chance our guardian angel?
I swore that I would not leave the hut until I knew.
Outside the sun was sinking low and the west was blazing with scarlet and gold.

Its reflection was shot back in ruddy patches by the distant pools which lay amid the great Grimpen Mire.

There were the two towers of Baskerville Hall, and there a distant blur of smoke which marked the village of Grimpen.