He stood motionless, listening intently.
The steps were in the hall now, and he heard a gentle creaking as the key was cautiously turned in the door.

The next instant there came a gust of cold air, the taper was extinguished, and a sharp snap announced that the door had been closed from without.
Robert stood astonished.

Who could this night wanderer be?
It must be his father.

But what errand could take him out at three in the morning?
And such a morning, too! With every blast of the wind the rain beat up against his chamber-window as though it would drive it in.

The glass rattled in the frames, and the tree outside creaked and groaned as its great branches were tossed about by the gale.