Викрадений
Chapter 2
SoIsetforwardbyalittlefainttrackinthegrassthatledinmydirection.Itwasveryfaintindeedtobetheonlywaytoaplaceofhabitation;yetIsawnoother.Presentlyitbroughtmetostoneuprights,withanunroofedlodgebesidethem,andcoatsofarmsuponthetop.Amainentranceitwasplainlymeanttobe,butneverfinished;insteadofgatesofwroughtiron,apairofhurdlesweretiedacrosswithastrawrope;andastherewerenoparkwalls,noranysignofavenue,thetrackthatIwasfollowingpassedontherighthandofthepillars,andwentwanderingontowardthehouse.
ThenearerIgottothat,thedrearieritappeared.Itseemedliketheonewingofahousethathadneverbeenfinished.Whatshouldhavebeentheinnerendstoodopenontheupperfloors,andshowedagainsttheskywithstepsandstairsofuncompletedmasonry.Manyofthewindowswereunglazed,andbatsflewinandoutlikedovesoutofadove-cote.
ThenighthadbeguntofallasIgotclose;andinthreeofthelowerwindows,whichwereveryhighupandnarrow,andwellbarred,thechanginglightofalittlefirebegantoglimmer.
