An anxious fold in the boy 's forehead smoothed itself away as he left her , saying to himself with a sigh of relief , `` A narrow escape ; it 's well I keep the door locked . '' The boy 's light burned no more after that , and Hester was content till a new worry came to trouble her . On her way to her room late one night , she saw a tall shadow flit down one of the side corridors that branched from the main one . For a moment she was startled , but , being a woman of courage , she followed noiselessly , till the shadow seemed to vanish in the gloom of the great hall . `` If the house ever owned a ghost I 'd say that 's it , but it never did , so I suspect some deviltry . I 'll step to Paul . He 's not asleep , I dare say . He 's a brave and a sensible lad , and with him I 'll quietly search the house . '' Away she went , more nervous than she would own , and tapped at the boy 's door . No one answered , and , seeing that it was ajar , Hester whisked in so hurriedly that her candle went out . With an impatient exclamation at her carelessness she glided to the bed , drew the curtain , and put forth her hand to touch the sleeper . The bed was empty . A disagreeable thrill shot through her , as she assured herself of the fact by groping along the narrow bed . Standing in the shadow of the curtain , she stared about the dusky room , in which objects were visible by the light of a new moon . `` Lord bless me , what is the boy about ! I do believe it was him I saw in the -- '' She got no further in her mental exclamation for the sound of light approaching footsteps neared her . Slipping around the bed she waited in the shadow , and a moment after Paul appeared , looking pale and ghostly , with dark , disheveled hair , wide-open eyes , and a cloak thrown over his shoulders . Without a pause he flung it off , laid himself in bed , and seemed to sleep at once . `` Paul ! Paul ! ''
whispered XXXXX , shaking him , after a pause of astonishment at the whole proceeding .
Hester Paul deviltry escape exclamation flit fold left night pause