Hardly had I moved ten paces, when my groping hands plunged into unresisting air: I stopped a moment, then entered through the vacuity, and to my great comfort, found myself under immediate shelter.
This then, I guessed, was the great hall of the castle, and I prepared my mind for the most terrible things.
I had not advanced three yards, when I paused in much terror; for I thought I heard a stir just beside me. Again all was still, and I ventured forward. I now fancied that I heard a gentle breathing; and at the same instant I struck my foot against something, which, with a sudden movement, tripped up my heels, and down I came, shrieking and begging for mercy; while a frightful bustle arose all round me,--such passing and repassing, rustling and rushing, that I gave myself over for lost.
'Oh, gentlemen banditti!' cried I, 'spare my persecuted life, and I will never, never betray you!'
They did not answer a syllable, but retired to some distance, where they held a horrid silence.
In a few minutes, I heard steps outside, and two persons entered the building.
'This shelters us well enough,' said one of them.
'Curse on the storm,' cried the other, 'it will hinder any more of them from coming out to-night. However we have killed four already, and, please goodness, not one will be alive on the estate this day month.'
Oh, Biddy, how my soul sickened at the shocking reflection, that four of a family were already murdered in cold blood, and that the rest were to share the same fate in a month!
Unable to contain myself, I muttered, 'Mercy upon me, mercy upon me!'
'Did you hear that?' whispered one of the men.
'I did,' said the other. 'Off with us this moment!' and off they both ran.
I too determined to quit this nest of horrors, for my very life appeared in danger; so, rising, I began to grope my way towards the door, when I fell over something that lay on the ground, and as I put out my hand, I touched (Oh, horrible!) a dead, cold, damp human face. Instantly the thought struck me that this was one of the four whom the ruffians had murdered, and I flung myself from it, with a shiver of horror; but in doing so, laid my hand on another face; while a faint gleam of lightning that flashed at the moment shewed me two bodies, pale, ghastly, naked, and half covered with straw.