46、Bill turned the key in the heavy lock and put it calmly in his pocket. He did so from a certain kind of fear. This was the only entrance to the house. Though Tom would be away for at least three days, Bill had a strange feeling of his nearness. In the stillness he seemed to hear Tom's voice. He turned round quickly, but there was only the girl.
The girl carrying an oil lamp led Bill upstairs. She stopped and raised the lamp in each doorway, staring at him meanwhile. Satisfied he was the only guest, Bill came to the last door.
"You sleep here, sir," she said, giving him the lamp. "Your friend slept here, too."
"Good night, miss," he said politely.
Her lips moved in reply, but he didn't catch the words. Her eyes never for a moment left his face. He stepped in, and as he turned to close the door she was still standing there. In the silence he felt a little terrified now.
He shut the door in the girl's face then, leaving her in the dark. He opened it again almost at once. She had disappeared without a sound. A deep mistrust suddenly came to him. Why had that girl stared at him so?