“Nor has there been,” he said, “nor is there, I believe. But there may be rats. We will give up the house to them. What are you staring at, you fool?” he cried, turning swiftly round.
“I thought I saw a shadow moving behind you,” she whispered.
“There’s nothing here.”
“No, it’s gone. It was my fancy. Pelham, I am frightened.”
“What did you come here for? I advised you to go home, but you had the devil in you, and would have your way. Let us make an end of this. In mischief’s name, what’s the matter with you now?”
“Hush!” she exclaimed, seizing his hand.
“Well, what is it?” he demanded roughly.
“I heard a whistle outside.”
“What of that? Boys whistling in the streets are common enough.”
“It was not a boy whistling. It was a shrill sound, as though some one was calling men about him.”