"Suppose it burns in an upper window, and the family is going
to bed, as would be likely at this hour--" The apprehension kept my
eyes fixed on the bright spot, to the frequent scandal of my legs, that
within five minutes were stuck full of gorse prickles.
But the light did not go out, and soon a flicker of moonlight gave me a
glimpse of the house's outline. It proved to be a deal more imposing
than I looked for--the outline, in fact, of a tall, square barrack, with
a cluster of chimneys at either end, like ears, and a high wall, topped
by the roofs of some outbuildings, concealing the lower windows. There
was no gate in this wall, and presently I guessed the reason. I was
approaching the place from behind, and the light came from a back window
on the first floor.
The faintness of the light also was explained by this time. It shone
behind a drab-coloured blind, and in shape resembled the stem of a
wine-glass, broadening out at the foot; an effect produced by the
half-drawn curtains within. I came to a halt, waiting for the next ray
of moonlight. At the same moment a rush of wind swept over the
chimney-stacks, and on the wind there seemed to ride a human sigh.
On this last point I may err.
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