For the instant I imagined some unusual sound
had aroused me, yet all was quiet, the only noise the twittering of
birds from without. I closed my eyes again, but a ceaseless train of
thought kept me wide awake, and, finally, I got upon my feet and looked
out into the dawn, determining to explore our strange surroundings
before any others were astir. With loaded revolver in my pocket, I
slipped into the hall. The faint light revealed its shabbiness, the
grimy rag carpet, and discolored walls. Some spirit of adventure led
me the full length until my hand was upon the latch of that last door.
I could not resist an impulse to look upon the dead man again by
daylight, and thus assure myself of the reality of what seemed only a
dream. I opened the door slowly, noiselessly, and peered cautiously
within. The light was strong there, revealing clearly every nook and
corner of the room. All was exactly as I recalled it to memory--the
stained walls, the dirty floor, the table littered with cards, the
overturned chair and the motionless body of the dead man. I ventured
half way to the window, staring about at every sign revealed in the
glare. From the wound in the head a dark flow of blood stained the
floor, and, as I bent closer, noticed the eyelids were lowered over the
dead eyes.
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