Casimer surprised them by his skill in music , for , though forbidden to sing on account of his weak lungs , he played as if inspired . Amy hovered about him like a moth ; the major cultivated the acquaintance of the plump widow ; and Helen stood at the window , enjoying the lovely night and music , till something happened which destroyed her pleasure in both . The window was open , and , leaning from it , she was watching the lake , when the sound of a heavy sigh caught her ear . There was no moon , but through the starlight she saw a man 's figure among the shrubs below , sitting with bent head and hidden face in the forlorn attitude of one shut out from the music , light , and gayety that reigned within . `` It is Karl , '' she thought , and was about to speak , when , as if startled by some sound she did not hear , he rose and vanished in the gloom of the garden . `` Poor man ! he thought of his wife and child , perhaps , sitting here alone while all the rest make merry , with no care for him . Uncle must see to this ; '' and Helen fell into a reverie till Amy came to propose retiring . `` I meant to have seen where all these doors led , but was so busy dressing I had no time , so must leave it for my amusement to-morrow . Uncle says it 's a very Radcliffian place . How like an angel that man did play ! '' chattered Amy , and lulled herself to sleep by humming the last air Casimer had given them . Helen could not sleep , for the lonely figure in the garden haunted her , and she wearied herself with conjectures about Hoffman and his mystery . Hour after hour rung from the cuckoo-clock in the hall , but still she lay awake , watching the curious shadows in the room , and exciting herself with recalling the tales of German goblins with which the courier had amused them the day before . `` It is close and musty here , with all this old tapestry and stuff about ; I 'll open the other window , '' she thought ; and , noiselessly slipping from Amy 's side , she threw on wrapper and slippers , lighted her candle and tried to unbolt the tall , diamond-paned lattice . It was rusty and would not yield , and , giving it up , she glanced about to see whence air could be admitted . There were four doors in the room , all low and arched , with clumsy locks and heavy handles . One opened into a closet , one into the passage ; the third was locked , but the fourth opened easily , and , lifting her light , she peeped into a small octagon room , full of all manner of curiosities . What they were she had no time to see , for her startled eyes were riveted on an object that turned her faint and cold with terror . A heavy table stood in the middle of the room , and seated at it , with some kind of weapon before him , was a man who looked over his shoulder , with a ghastly face half hidden by hair and beard , and fierce black eyes as full of malignant menace as was the clinched hand holding the pistol .
One instant XXXXX looked , the next flung to the door , bolted it and dropped into a chair , trembling in every limb .
Amy Casimer Helen Hoffman Karl cuckoo-clock curiosities hour night third