It was now past midnight; sleep was out of the question, as I lay
ruminating on the mysterious events of the few past hours. The
extraordinary manner in which the murdered wretch had been committed to
my care seemed an imperative call upon me to attempt the discovery of
some foul and horrible crime. With the returning day I resolved to begin
my inquiries, and I vowed to compass sea and land ere I gave up the
pursuit. So absorbed was I in the project, that I scarcely noticed the
storm, now bursting forth in a continuous roll from the sea, until one
wild gust, that seemed to rush by as if it would have swept the dwelling
from its seat, put an end to these anticipations. I watched the rattling
casement, expecting every moment that it would give way, and the
groaning thatch be rent from its hold. Involuntarily I arose and
approached the window. It was pitchy dark, and the roar of the sea,
under the terrific sweep of the tempest, was truly awful. Never had I
heard so terrible a conflict. I knew not how soon I might be compelled
to quit this unstable shelter; the very earth shook; and every moment I
expected the frail tenement would be levelled to its foundations.
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