This was odd, for surely no one would ring for me to get out of the way.

Then there was another tinkle, a little nearer.
Now I sped faster and faster.

I heard the bell violently ringing.

Then I thought, but I am not sure, that I heard a voice.

I struck out with the thrust of a steam-engine, and the earth slipped backward beneath me like the water of a mill-race.