Then it became stronger and more continuous, and
presently we were all gazing at each other in wonderment.
For the sound was that of footsteps.
XXVI
DIRECT FROM PARADISE
The sound was not like that of the walking of the human. Nor was
it such as an animal would make. It was neither a thud nor a
pattering, but more like a scratching shuffle, such as reminded me
of nothing that I had ever heard before.
Next moment, however, there came another sort of sound, plainly
audible above the footsteps. This was a thin, musical chuckle
which ended in a deep, but faint, organ-like throb. It happened
only once.
Immediately it was followed by a steady clicking, such as might be
made by gently striking a stick against the pavement; only
sharper. This lasted a minute, during which the other sounds
ceased.
Once more the footsteps. They were not very loud, but in the
stillness of that room they all but resounded.
Presently Charlotte could stand it no longer. She placed the ring
on the table, where it continued to emit those unplaceable sounds.
"Well! Do--do you people," stammered Dr. Malloy, "do you people
all hear THAT?"
Miss Clarke's face was rather pale. But her mouth was firm. "It is
nothing," said she, with theosophical positiveness. "You must not
believe it--it is not the truth of--"
"Pardon me," interrupted Sir Henry, "but this isn't something to
argue about! It is a reality; and the sooner we all admit it, the
better.
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