ut, 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. '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.

"'You will stop there,' said she, pointing to a spot a few feet from
where she stood. 'Another step and I let that for which I have heard
you dec