His hand upon the bannister trembled, and a cold sweat flowed from every pore.
A sense of deadly horror seized him, but he knew not why.
He felt as if some unnatural and hideous being was watching him, and dogging his noiseless footsteps.
What could it be?
He knew not.
Some dreadful fear compelled him to crouch down low upon the landing from sheer exhaustion.
Bang! bang! suddenly burst out upon his astonished ears, and awoke loud echoes in the old farm-house.
A double-barrelled gun had been discharged at him, loaded with buck-shot, and by some one concealed at the head of the stairs.
A loud groan followed the flashes and report.