Тридцать девять ступеней

           Iwasprettycertainthattherewouldbesomekindofdefenceroundthehouse,soIwentthroughthewoodonhandsandknees,feelingcarefullyeveryinchbeforeme.Itwasaswell,forpresentlyIcameonawireabouttwofeetfromtheground.IfIhadtrippedoverthat,itwoulddoubtlesshaverungsomebellinthehouseandIwouldhavebeencaptured.

           AhundredyardsfartheronIfoundanotherwirecunninglyplacedontheedgeofasmallstream.Beyondthatlaythemoor,andinfiveminutesIwasdeepinbrackenandheather.SoonIwasroundtheshoulderoftherise,inthelittleglenfromwhichthemill-ladeflowed.Tenminuteslatermyfacewasinthespring,andIwassoakingdownpintsoftheblessedwater.

           ButIdidnotstoptillIhadputhalfadozenmilesbetweenmeandthataccurseddwelling.