Inside, he knew, the rooms were empty; a current of air down the chimney had scattered the ashes from the hearth all about the living room.

Here must be a chair overturned, and there the sand had drifted through the open door.

All this he saw clearly enough with his mind's eye, and urged Satan forward.

For a chill like the falling of sudden night had swept over him, and he shrugged his shoulders with relief when he swept past the house.

Yet when he came to the long down-slope which pitched into the valley so far below him, he called Satan to a halt again, and swung to look at the house.