He awoke with a curious sense of fear, a strange stiffening of the scalp. Surely he heard the sound of voices. He sat up with beating heart and listened. Yes, voices and the sound of feet crushing through the crisp snow.... With a leap he was at the window.
CHAPTER FIVE
HUNTED DOWN
HIS worst fears were realized.
In the eerie half-light he saw four black shadows draw near to the house and a knock at the door followed. He heard Pascal grumbling as he got out of bed. Then the inn-keeper’s voice:
“Who is it?”
The answer came in the harsh metallic voice he knew so well.
“Travellers from Vizzavona. Open quickly. We are cold.”
Pascal was unbolting the door.
“Pardon, gentlemen. I did not expect guests at so late an hour. Please to enter.”
He heard them stumbling into the big room with the fire, then again that grating voice.