ed 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.

"'Won't you come?' she whispered, turning her face towards me with a
look of such potent determination, I followed in spite of myself 'I dare
not let you stay here, your blood will be upon my head.'

"'You exaggerate,' I replied, shrinking back with a longing look at the
comfortable bed I had just left. 'These old houses are always strong.
It will take many such a gust as that you hear, to overturn it, I assure
you.'

"'I exaggerate!' she returned with a look of scorn impossible to
describe. 'Hark!' she said, 'hear that.'

"I did hear, and I must acknowledge that it seemed is if we were about
to be swept from our foundations.

"'Yes,' said I, 'but it is a fearful night to be out in.'

"'I shall go with you,' said she.

"'In that case--' I began with an ill-advised attempt at gallantry which
she cut short with a gesture.

"'Here is your hat,' remarked she, 'and here is your bag. The
fishing-pole must remain, you cannot carry it.'

"'But,--' I expostulated.

"'Hush!' said she with her ear turned towards the depths of the
staircase at the top of which we stood. 'My father and brother will
think as you do that it is folly to leave the shelter of a roof for the
uncertainties of the road on such a night as this, but you must not heed
them. I tell you shelter this night is danger, and that the only safety
to be found is on the stormy highway.'

"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
o