I was at that time anything but a
suspicious man, and the manner and appearance of the men below struck
me as unpleasantly disagreeable but nothing more. But I not only did
what I have related, but allowed the lamp to remain lighted, lying
down finally in my clothes; an almost unprecedented act on my part,
warranted however as I said to myself, by the fury of the gale which
at that time seemed as if it would tumble the roof over our heads.
"How long I lay listening to the creakings and groanings of the
rickety old house, I cannot say, nor how long I remained in the doze
which finally seized me as I became accustomed to the sounds around
and over me. Enough that before the storm had passed its height, I
awoke as if at the touch of a hand, and leaping with a bound out of
the bed, beheld to my incredible amazement, the alert, nervous form of
Luttra standing before me. She had my coat in her hand, and it was
her touch that had evidently awakened me.
"'I want you to put this on,' said she in a low thrilling tone totally
new in my experience, 'and come with me. The house is unsafe for you
to remain in. Hear how it cracks and trembles. Another blast like
that and we shall be roofless.'
"She was moving toward the door, which to my amazement stood ajar, but
my hesitation stopped her.
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