Catching a glimpse of my figure in the darkness he called out something which I could not hear, and waved his hand in a gesture of welcome.

An instant later the door flew open, and there was his thin tall figure standing upon the threshold, with his skirts flapping in the wind.
'My dear friends,' he cried, peering out into the gloom with his hand over his eyes to screen them from the salt-laden wind and driving sand, 'I had given you up.

I thought that you were never coming.

I've been waiting for two hours.' For answer I stepped out in front of him, so that the light fell upon my face.
'I am afraid, sir--' said I.
But I had no time to finish my sentence.

He struck at me with both hands like an angry cat, and, springing back into the room, he slammed the door with a crash in my face.
The swiftness of his movements and the malignity of his gesture were in such singular contrast with his appearance that I was struck speechless with surprise.