I awoke in broad daylight, wondering why
I had not been called sooner, and then remembered there was no one to
call, and that if I required hot water, I must boil it for myself.
With that light heart which comes after a good night's rest, I put on
some part of my clothing, and was commencing to descend the principal
staircase, when my proceedings of the previous night flashed across my
mind; and pausing, I looked down into the hall. No sign of a foot on the
flour. The white powder lay there innocent of human pressure as the
untrodden snow; and yet, and yet, was I dreaming--could I have been
drunk without my own knowledge, before I went to bed? The gas was ablaze
in the hall and on the staircase, and every door left open over-night
was close shut.
Curiously enough, at that moment fear fell from me like a garment which
has served its turn, and in the strength of my manhood, I felt able to
face anything the Uninhabited House might have to show.
Over the latter part of that week, as being utterly unimportant in its
events or consequences, I pass rapidly, only saying that, when Saturday
came, I followed Munro's advice, and ran down to Brighton, under the
idea that by so doing I should thoroughly strengthen myself for the next
five days' ordeal.
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