I returned here at nine o'clock, and saw this mark on our door.

I did not pay much heed to it, but went upstairs.

Then, as I thought it over, I said to myself, 'Is this a freak of some passerby, or is it some sort of signal ?' Then I thought I would see whether our house alone was marked, or whether there were crosses on other doors.

I went to the houses of several gentlemen of our party, and on each of their doors was a white cross.

Then I looked farther, and found that other houses were unmarked.