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I came forward cautiously, and giving ear as I came, heard some one rattling with dishes, and a little dry, eager cough that came in fits; but there was no sound of speech, and not a dog barked. The door, as well as I could see it in the dim light, was a great piece of wood all studded with nails; and I lifted my hand with a faint heart under my jacket, and knocked once. Then I stood and waited. The house had fallen into a dead silence; a whole minute passed away, and nothing stirred but the bats overhead. I knocked again, and hearkened again. By this time my ears had grown so accustomed to the quiet, that I could hear the ticking of the clock inside as it slowly counted out the seconds; but whoever was in that house kept deadly still, and must have held his breath. I was in two minds whether to run away; but anger got the upper hand, and I began instead to rain kicks and buffets on the door, and to shout out aloud for Mr. Balfour. I was in full career, when I heard the cough right overhead, and jumping back and looking up, beheld a mans head in a tall nightcap, and the bell mouth of a blunderbuss, at one of the first-storey windows. Its loaded, said a voice. I have come here with a letter, I said, to Mr. Ebenezer Balfour of Shaws. Is he here? From whom is it? asked the man with the blunderbuss. That is neither here nor there, said I, for I was growing very wroth. Well, was the reply, ye can put it down upon the doorstep, and be off with ye. I will do no such thing, I cried. I will deliver it into Mr. Balfours hands, as it was meant I should. It is a letter of introduction. A what? cried the voice, sharply. I repeated what I had said. Who are ye, yourself? was the next question, after a considerable pause. I am not ashamed of my name, said I. They call me David Balfour. At that, I made sure the man started, for I heard the blunderbuss rattle on the window-sill; and it was after quite a long pause, and with a curious change of voice, that the next question followed: Is your father dead? I was so much surprised at this, that I could find no voice to answer, but stood staring. Ay the man resumed, hell be dead, no doubt; and thatll be what brings ye chapping to my door. Another pause, and then defiantly, Well, man, he said, Ill let ye in; and he disappeared from the window. |
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