Then, going to the bed, I bent over my sister, and asked her how she felt; but she only shook the more, and, much as it pained me, I had to admit that my presence seemed to make her worse.

And so, I left her—­locking the door, and pocketing the key.  It seemed to be the only course to take.

The rest of the day, I spent between the tower and my study.  For food, I brought up a loaf from the pantry, and on this, and some claret, I lived for that day.

What a long, weary day it was.  If only I could have gone out into the gardens, as is my wont, I should have been content enough; but to be cooped in this silent house, with no companion, save a mad woman and a sick dog, was enough to prey upon the nerves of the hardiest.  And out in the tangled shrubberies that surrounded the house, lurked—­for all I could tell—­those infernal Swine-creatures waiting their chance.  Was ever a man in such straits?

Once, in the afternoon, and again, later, I went to visit my sister.  The second time, I found her tending Pepper; but, at my approach, she slid over, unobtrusively, to the far corner, with a gesture that saddened me beyond belief.  Poor girl! her fear cut me intolerably, and I would not intrude on her, unnecessarily.  She would be better, I trusted, in a few days; meanwhile, I could do nothing; and I judged it still needful—­hard as it seemed—­to keep her confined to her room.  One thing there was that I took for encouragement:  she had eaten some of the food I had taken to her, on my first visit.

And so the day passed.

As the evening drew on, the air grew chilly, and I began to make preparations for passing a second night in the tower—­taking up two additional rifles, and a heavy ulster.  The rifles I loaded, and laid alongside my other; as I intended to make things warm for any of the creatures who might show, during the night.  I had plenty of ammunition, and I thought to give the brutes such a lesson, as should show them the uselessness of attempting to force an entrance.

After that, I made the ’round of the house again; paying particular attention to the props that supported the study door.  Then, feeling that I had done all that lay in my power to insure our safety, I returned to the tower; calling in on my sister and Pepper, for a final visit, on the way.  Pepper was asleep; but woke, as I entered, and wagged his tail, in recognition.  I thought he seemed slightly better.  My sister was lying on the bed; though whether asleep or not, I was unable to tell; and thus I left them.

Reaching the tower, I made myself as comfortable as circumstances would permit, and settled down to watch through the night.  Gradually, darkness fell, and soon the details of the gardens were merged into shadows.  During the first few hours, I sat, alert, listening for any sound that might help to tell me if anything were stirring down below.  It was far too dark for my eyes to be of much use.