The storm chafed about the roof and chimneys in a dreadful way.

I never knew a wilder night." "You saw the general at the party ?" said one, addressing Mr.Craig.
"Yes, a few times.

But there was a crowd in all the rooms, and the same people were not often thrown together." "Nothing unusual about him?
Hadn't been drinking too much ?" "Not when I observed him.

But--" Mr.Craig hesitated a moment, and then went on: "But there's one thing has a strange look.

They went in a carriage, I know, but walked home in all that dreadful storm." "Walked home!" Several pairs of eyes and hands were upraised.
"Yes; they came to the door, white with snow, just as we got home." "How strange! What could it have meant ?" "It meant," said one, "that their carriage disappointed them--nothing else, of course." "That will hardly explain it.