Indeed, it was only at each inhalation that so much stood out upon the surrounding screen of impenetrable blackness.

Langholm kept his distance, stick in hand, his gaunt figure as invisible as the overhanging trees; but his voice might have belonged to the most formidable of men.
"As yet," said he, sternly, "I think very little of either you or your letter.

Who are you, and what do you mean by writing to me like that ?" "Steady, mister, you do know my name!" remonstrated the man, in rather more respectful tones.

"It's Abel--John William--and as much at your service as you like if you take him proper; but he comes from a country where Jack isn't the dirt under his master's feet, and you're no master o' mine." "I don't want to be, my good fellow," rejoined Langholm, modifying his own manner in turn.

"Then you're not a Northborough man ?" "Not me!" "I seem to have heard your voice before," said Langholm, to whom the wild hair on the invisible face was also not altogether unfamiliar.
"Where do you come from ?" "A little place called Australia." "The devil you do!" And Langholm stood very still in the dark, for now he knew who this man was, and what manner of evidence he might furnish, and against whom.