'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.'
"'The man is a fool that wants to go out in a night like this,' quoth
the fellow with a dogged move; 'and so are you to encourage it. I
think too much of your health to allow it.'
"She did not seem to hear. 'Will you open the door?' she went on, not
advancing a step from the fire, before which she had placed herself
and me.'
"'No, I won't,' was the brutal reply. 'Its been locked for the night
and its not me nor one like me, that will open it.'
"With a sudden whitening of her already pale face, she turned towards
her father. He was not even looking at her.
"'Some one must open the house,' said she, glancing back at her
brother. 'This gentleman purposes to leave and his whim must be
humored. Will you unlock that door or shall I?'
"An angry snarl interrupted her. Her father had bounded from the door
where he stood and was striding hastily towards her. In my
apprehension I put up my arm for a shield, for he looked ready to
murder her, but I let it drop again as l caught her glance which was
like white flame undisturbed by the least breeze of personal terror.
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