quickly backward and forward. He kept his eyes fixed on me with a
look so strange that he concentered all my attention on himself.
Slowly he rose up, all his hair bristling, and stood perfectly
rigid, and with the same wild stare. I had no time, however, to
examine the dog. Presently my servant emerged from his room; and
if ever I saw horror in the human face, it was then. I should not
have recognized him had we met in the street, so altered was every
lineament. He passed by me quickly, saying, in a whisper that
seemed scarcely to come from his lips, "Run, run! it is after me!"
He gained the door to the landing, pulled it open, and rushed
forth. I followed him into the landing involuntarily, calling him
to stop; but, without heeding me, he bounded down the stairs,
clinging to the balusters, and taking several steps at a time. I
heard, where I stood, the street door open,--heard it again clap
to. I was left alone in the haunted house.

It was but for a moment that I remained undecided whether or not to
follow my servant; pride and curiosity alike forbade so dastardly a
flight. I re-entered my room, closing the door after me, and
proceeded cautiously into the interior chamber. I encountered
nothing to justify my servant's terror. I again carefully examined
the walls, to see if there were any concealed door. I could find
no trace of one,--not even a seam in the dull-brown paper with
which the room was hung. How, then, had the THING, whatever it
was, which had so scared him, obtained ingress except though my own
chamber?

I returned to my room, shut and locked the door that opened upon
the interior one, and stood on the hearth, expectant and prepared.
I now perceived that the dog had slunk into an angle of the wall,