through the window-blind, I hailed its appearance with much the
same emotions as, no doubt, a traveler fainting with thirst in a
desert would experience upon descrying a watery oasis in the midst
of the burning sands. Long before the sun arose, I leapt from my
couch, and having made a hasty toilette, I sallied out into the bleak,
frosty air. It revived me at once, and brought new courage into my
heart. Looking at the whitened expanse of lawn where last night
I had seen the two women running, I could detect no sign of footmarks
in the snow. The whole lawn presented an unbroken surface of
sparkling crystals. I walked down the drive to the lodge. The
old man, evidently an early bird, was in the act of unbarring his
door as I appeared.

Halloa, sir, you're up betimes!" he exclaimed. "Will ye just step
in now and take somethin'? My ole woman's agoin' to get out the
breakfast. Slept well last night, sir?" he continued, as I entered
the little parlour; "the bed is rayther hard, I know; but, ye
see, it does well enow for my son George when he's up here, which
isna often. Ye look tired like, this morning; didna get much rest
p'raps? Ah! now then, Bess, gi' us another plate here, ole gal."

I ate my breakfast in comparative silence, wondering to myself
whether it would be well to say anything to my host of my recent
experiences, since he had clearly no suspicions on the subject;
and, anon, wishing I had comported myself in that terrible house
with as little curiosity as the "son George," who no doubt was
content to stay where he was put at night, and was not given to
nocturnal excursions in empty mansions.

"Have you any idea," said I, at last, "whether there's any story