The House on the Borderland

nned the gardens, earnestly; but nowhere could I see any signs of the brutes. I leant over, and glanced down to the foot of the wall, to see whether

but there was no appearance of anything beneath it; nor could I see the creatures I had killed, after its fall. Evidently, they also had been taken away. I turned, and went down

k in the corner, indicated that it was three o'clock. It was

was perfectly silent. Slowly, I stood up, and yawned. I felt desperately

he corridor, toward my study. In an instant, I was on my feet, and grasping my rifle. Noiselessly, I waited. Had the creatures broken in, whilst I slept? Even as I questioned, the steps reached my door, halted momentar

y of the house. Then, as I caught a glimpse of her old petticoat, the thought passed as quickly as it had come, and I half laughed. There could be no mistaking that ancient garment. Yet, I wondered what she was doing; and, remembering her condition of mind, on the previous day

a sound that sent me leaping down, at a mad rate-it was the rattle of bolts

seen me, and, the first thing she knew, I had hold of her arm. She

nsense? Do you mean to tell me you don't understand the dange

bled, violently, gasping and sobbing, a

to be brave. There was little to be afraid of now, I explained-and, I tried to believe that I

, obviously, not quite herself for the time being. Finally, I told h

in my arms, and carried her there. At first, she screamed, wildly; but

I could do nothing more for her, and so, crossed to where Pepper lay in a big basket. My sister had taken charge of him since his wound, to nurse him, for it had proved more severe than I had thought,

ow she felt; but she only shook the more, and, much as it pain

or, and pocketing the key. It see

study. For food, I brought up a loaf from the pantry

this silent house, with no companion, save a mad woman and a sick dog, was enough to prey upon the nerves of the hardiest. And out in the tangled s

that saddened me beyond belief. Poor girl! her fear cut me intolerably, and I would not intrude on her, unnecessarily. She would be better, I trusted, in a few days; meanwhile, I could do nothing; an

the day

d a heavy ulster. The rifles I loaded, and laid alongside my other; as I intended to make things warm for any of the creatures who might show, during the

power to insure our safety, I returned to the tower; calling in on my sister and Pepper, for a final visit, on the way. Pepper was asleep; but woke, as I entered, and wagg

lly, darkness fell, and soon the details of the gardens were merged into shadows. During the first few hours, I sat, alert, listeni

And the moon rose, showing the gardens, apparently empty, and

d sooner, far, have had them attack the house, openly. Then, at least, I should have known my danger, and been able to meet it; but to wait like this, through a whole night, picturing all kin