I merely pointed
to a couple of storks that were sailing through the air far above our
heads, and said that so must I go, far, far away. At this she opened
her bleared eyes wide, and cast a sinister glance first at me and then
at the old man. After that, I noticed as often as I turned away that
they put their heads together and talked eagerly, glancing askance
toward me from time to time.

This puzzled me. I pondered upon what scheme they could be hatching,
and I grew more quiet. The sun had long set, so I wished them all good
night and betook myself thoughtfully to my bedroom.

I felt so happy and so restless that for a long while I paced the
apartment to and fro. Outside, the wind was driving black, heavy
clouds high above the castle-tower; the nearest mountain-summit could
be scarcely discerned in the thick darkness. Then I thought I heard
voices in the garden below. I put out my candle and sat down at the
window. The voices seemed to come nearer, speaking in low tones, and
suddenly a long ray of light shot from a small lantern concealed
under the cloak of a dark figure. I instantly recognized the grim old
steward and the old housekeeper. The light flashed in the face of the
old woman, who looked to me more hideous than ever, and upon the blade
of a long knife which she held in her hand. I could plainly see that
both of them were looking up at my window. Then the steward folded his
cloak more closely, and all was dark and silent.

"What do they want," I thought, "out in the garden, at this hour?" I
shuddered; I could not help recalling all the stories of murders that
I had ever heard--all the tales of witches and robbers who slaughtered
people that they might devour their hearts. Whilst I was filled with
such thoughts, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs softly, then
very softly along the narrow passage directly to my door; and at the
same time I thought I heard voices whispering together. I ran hastily
to the other end of the room and behind a large table, which I could
lift and bang against the door as soon as anything stirred outside.
But in the darkness I upset a chair, which made a tremendous crash.
In an instant all was profound silence outside. I listened behind the
table, staring at the door as if I could pierce it with my eyes, which
felt as if they were starting from my head. When I had kept so quiet
for a while that the buzzing of a fly could have been plainly heard,
I distinguished the sound of a k