Hastening to meet the constable, with excited gesture and confused accents, I told him of my horrible discovery. At first the man seemed inclined to disbelieve it, but seeing I was in earnest, accompanied me to the house, and peeped in at the window as directed.
He started when his gaze fell upon the prostrate woman.
“Do you know who lives ’ere?” he asked.
“No. Haven’t I told you I’m an utter stranger?” I replied.
As I spoke he ran up the short flight of stone steps and pulled the large brass knob beside the door.
Clear and distinct the deep-toned bell clanged out somewhere in the regions at the rear, but there was no response.
As suddenly as it had risen the wind sank; the streets were silent, the houses gloomy as rows of sepulchres tenanted only by the departed; and as the day broke, cold and grey, light fleecy clouds gathered over the waning moon.
Twice the constable tugged at the bell in his efforts to awaken the inmates of the house, but all was still, save for the bark of a distant dog. Although we both strained our ears, no sounds of life were apparent within.
“Shall I go round to the station for help? I can find it if you will direct me,” I said to the man.
“No; you stay ’ere. There’s no necessity,” replied he gruffly. “I’ll soon call my mates,” and applying his whistle to his lips, he blew a series of shrill calls, which were immediately answered by others.