“She was moving toward the door, which to my amazement stood ajar, but my hesitation stopped her.

“‘Won’t you come?’ she whispered, turning her face towards me with a look of such potent determination, I followed in spite of myself ’I dare not let you stay here, your blood will be upon my head.’

“‘You exaggerate,’ I replied, shrinking back with a longing look at the comfortable bed I had just left.  ’These old houses are always strong.  It will take many such a gust as that you hear, to overturn it, I assure you.’

“‘I exaggerate!’ she returned with a look of scorn impossible to describe.  ‘Hark!’ she said, ‘hear that.’

“I did hear, and I must acknowledge that it seemed is if we were about to be swept from our foundations.

“‘Yes,’ said I, ‘but it is a fearful night to be out in.’

“‘I shall go with you,’ said she.

“‘In that case—­’ I began with an ill-advised attempt at gallantry which she cut short with a gesture.

“‘Here is your hat,’ remarked she, ’and here is your bag.  The fishing-pole must remain, you cannot carry it.’

“‘But,—­’ I expostulated.

“‘Hush!’ said she with her ear turned towards the depths of the staircase at the top of which we stood.  ’My father and brother will think as you do that it is folly to leave the shelter of a roof for the uncertainties of the road on such a night as this, but you must not heed them.  I tell you shelter this night is danger, and that the only safety to be found is on the stormy highway.’

“And without waiting for my reply, she passed rapidly down stairs, pushed open a door at the bottom, and stepped at once into the room we had left an hour or so before.

“What was there in that room that for the first time struck an ominous chill as of distinct peril through my veins?  Nothing at first sight, everything at the second.  The fire which had not been allowed to die out, still burned brightly on the ruddy hearthstone, but it was not that which awakened my apprehension.  Nor was it the loud ticking clock on the mantel-piece with its hand pointing silently to the hour of eleven.  Nor yet the heavy quiet of the scantily-furnished room with its one lamp burning on the deal table against the side of the wall.  It was the sight of those two powerful men drawn up in grim silence, the one against the door leading to the front hall, the other against that opening into the kitchen.

“A glance at Luttra standing silent and undismayed at my side, however, instantly reassured me.  With that will exercised in my favor, I could not but win through whatever it was that menaced me.  Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I made a move towards the door and the silent figure of my host.  But with a quick outreaching of her hand, she drew me back.

“‘Stand still!’ said she.  ‘Karl,’ she went on, turning her face towards the more sullen but less intent countenance of her brother, ’open the door and let this gentleman pass.  He finds the house unsafe in such a gale and desires to leave it.  At once!’ she continued as her brother settled himself more determinedly against the lock:  ’I don’t often ask favors.’