Emily
shivered.
"Mercy! What a night!" she exclaimed. "It reminds me of our first night
in this house, Auntie."
"Does; that's a fact. Well, I hope there's nobody prowlin' around
lookin' for a place to put their head in, the way we were then.
I--what's that?"
"What? What, Auntie? I didn't hear anything."
"I thought I did. Sounded as if somebody was--and they are! Listen!"
Emily listened. From without, above the noise of the wind and rain and
surf, came a shout.
"Hi!" screamed a high-pitched voice. "Hi! Let me in. I--I'm drownin'."
Thankful rushed to the door and, exerting all her strength, pushed it
open against the raging storm.
"There's nobody here," she faltered.
"But--but there is, Auntie. I heard someone. I--"
She stopped, for, out of the drenched darkness staggered a figure, the
figure of a man. He plunged across the threshold, tripped over the mat
and fell in a heap upon the floor.
Emily shrieked. Mrs. Barnes pulled the door shut and ran to the
prostrate figure.
"Who is it?" she asked. "Who IS it? Are you hurt?"
The figure raised its head.
"Hurt!" it panted. "It's a wonder I ain't dead. What's the matter with
ye? Didn't you hear me yellin' for you to open that door?"
Thankful drew a long breath.
"For mercy sakes!" she cried. "Solomon Cobb! WHAT are you doin' over
here a night like this?"
CHAPTER XIV
Mr. Cobb slowly raised his head. He looked about him in a bewildered
way, and then his gaze fixed itself upon Mrs.
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