I believed it to be nothing more nor less than a heartless and stupid "hoax." The striking of the hall-clock roused me from my meditations.

I counted the strokes--midnight! I rose to go up to my room.

Everybody else in the farm had retired to bed, as usual, more than an hour since.

The stillness in the house was breathless.

I walked softly, by instinct, as I crossed the room to look out at the night.