Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/118

 102 had I any excuse to urge for immediate departure; indeed as a gentleman and soldier my duty called me to remain for her protection. She could not be left alone in this desolate house. These thoughts flitted through my mind, as my eyes studied her face, but the final decision was made for me. I had heard no sound other than that of the storm without, and the crackling of flames within. We seemed alone, isolated, utterly beyond the zone of danger. That others might be abroad on such a night never occurred to me. It was rather my steady gaze that roused the lady from whatever dream the flames of the grate had given her. She turned her head to meet my eyes—then sat suddenly erect, the expression of her face instantly changing, as she stared beyond me at the open door. I wheeled about to look, startled at the movement. A man stood in the doorway, water streaming from his clothes onto the floor. I was on my feet instantly, a hand gripping my revolver, but before I could whip it from the leather sheave, the girl had taken the single step forward, and grasped my sleeve.

"Do not fire!" she exclaimed. "He is not a fighting man."

The fellow lifted one arm, and stepped forward full into the light. He was a man of years, unarmed, a tall, ungainly figure, a scraggly beard at his chin,