`` It is now close by , '' said Matcham . They were now on the edge of the pit ; and as the pit itself was on a certain eminence , they commanded a view over the greater proportion of the clearing , up to the thick woods that closed it in . The daylight , which was very clear and grey , showed them a riband of white footpath wandering among the gorse . It passed some hundred yards from the pit , and ran the whole length of the clearing , east and west . By the line of its course , Dick judged it should lead more or less directly to the Moat House . Upon this path , stepping forth from the margin of the wood , a white figure now appeared . It paused a little , and seemed to look about ; and then , at a slow pace , and bent almost double , it began to draw near across the heath . At every step the bell clanked . Face , it had none ; a white hood , not even pierced with eye-holes , veiled the head ; and as the creature moved , it seemed to feel its way with the tapping of a stick . Fear fell upon the lads , as cold as death . `` A leper ! '' said Dick , hoarsely . `` His touch is death , '' said Matcham . `` Let us run . '' `` Not so , '' returned Dick . `` See ye not ? -- he is stone blind . He guideth him with a staff . Let us lie still ; the wind bloweth towards the path , and he will go by and hurt us not . Alas , poor soul , and we should rather pity him ! ''
`` I will pity him when he is by , '' replied XXXXX .
Dick House Matcham bloweth daylight eye-holes gorse heath leper riband