'
"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.
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