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Chapter 4
Well,Ihadcomeclosetooneoftheseturns,when,feelingforwardasusual,myhandslippeduponanedgeandfoundnothingbutemptinessbeyondit.Thestairhadbeencarriednohigher;tosetastrangermountingitinthedarknesswastosendhimstraighttohisdeath;and(although,thankstothelightningandmyownprecautions,Iwassafeenough)themerethoughtoftheperilinwhichImighthavestood,andthedreadfulheightImighthavefallenfrom,broughtoutthesweatuponmybodyandrelaxedmyjoints.
ButIknewwhatIwantednow,andturnedandgropedmywaydownagain,withawonderfulangerinmyheart.Abouthalf-waydown,thewindsprangupinaclapandshookthetower,anddiedagain;therainfollowed;andbeforeIhadreachedthegroundlevelitfellinbuckets.Iputoutmyheadintothestorm,andlookedalongtowardsthekitchen.Thedoor,whichIhadshutbehindmewhenIleft,nowstoodopen,andshedalittleglimmeroflight;andIthoughtIcouldseeafigurestandingintherain,quitestill,likeamanhearkening.Andthentherecameablindingflash,whichshowedmemyuncleplainly,justwhereIhadfanciedhimtostand;andhardupontheheelsofit,agreattow-rowofthunder.
Now,whethermyunclethoughtthecrashtobethesoundofmyfall,orwhetherheheardinitGod’svoicedenouncingmurder,Iwillleaveyoutoguess.Certainitis,atleast,thathewasseizedonbyakindofpanicfear,andthatheranintothehouseandleftthedooropenbehindhim.
