Into the saddle he swung, wondering faintly that the theft of a horse mattered so little to him.

His was the greatest sin.

All other things mattered nothing.
Down the long street he galloped.

The sharp echoes flew out at him from every unlighted house, but not a human being was in sight.

So he swung out onto the long road which wound up through the hills, and beside him rode a grim brotherhood, the invisible fellowship of Cain.
The moon rose higher, brighter, and a grotesque black shadow galloped over the snow beside him.