So we'll be under
Hoar Head at five tomorrow morn with the pack-horses. I wish we could be
earlier, for the sun rises thereabout, but the tide will not serve
before.'
It was at that moment that I felt a cold touch on my shoulders, as of the
fresh air from outside, and thought beside I had a whiff of salt seaweed
from the beach. So round I looked to see if door or window stood ajar.
The window was tight enough, and shuttered to boot, but the door was not
to be seen plainly for a wooden screen, which parted it from the parlour,
and was meant to keep off draughts. Yet I could just see a top corner of
the door above the screen and thought it was not fast. So up I got to
shut it, for the nights were cold; but coming round the corner of the
screen found that 'twas closed, and yet I could have sworn I saw the
latch fall to its place as I walked towards it. Then I dashed forward,
and in a trice had the door open, and was in the street. But the night
was moonless and black, and I neither saw nor heard aught stirring, save
the gentle sea-wash on Moonfleet beach beyond the salt meadows.
Elzevir looked at me uneasily as I came back.
'What ails thee, boy?' said he.
'I thought I heard someone at the door,' I answered; 'did you not feel a
cold wind as if it was open?'
'It is but the night is sharp, the spring sets in very chill; slip the
bolt, and sit down again,' and he flung a fresh log on the fire, that
sent a cloud of sparks crackling up the chimney and out into the room.
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