Page:The woman, the man, and the monster (IA womanmanmonster00dawe).pdf/338

 VI

StTarRtLeD from her reverie she sat up, ears alert. Then she shook her head and smiled. She was for ever fancying things, for ever dreaming of dangerous possibilities. Even now the thought was upon her that she was

not alone. Was that the click of a lock or the ~

sound of a footstep? Sounds dissimilar enough, in all conscience, yet suggested by she knew not what.

Again that sensation of fear shot through her, a suggestion of indefinite danger. Sure now that she was not alone, yet conscious of an unworthy nervousness, she rose hastily to

her feet and glanced timorously round the ~ half-darkened room, her ears sharpened by ex- pectation. But though she heard nothing she was none the less convinced of another presence. Save for the occasional rattle of some — vehicle in the street the stillness was most pro- —

found. 324