Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/237

 good night, Francis was ordered to attend the stranger to the door of his apartment, and then return to his master. Ferdinand judged this order was to preclude any conversation between him and the old man, and therefore he was silent; but as they parted at the door he thought Francis suppressed a rising sigh, and looking at him saw his face was clouded by a heavy expression of grief. He bowed, retired, and pulled the door after him. A cheerful fire was blazing in the chimney, and examining the door of his apartment, he perceived there was a lock and two strong bolts; these he secured, and having placed the lamp on the table, he threw off his clothes, and got into bed.

Here he lay some time revolving all past circumstances, and considering which road he should pursue in the morning, when suddenly he conceived that he heard some faint shrieks as if at a great distance, he sprung up in the bed and listened; he heard no more, all was a dead silence; yet still he could not be persuaded but that he heard the cries:—-