But he could not get rid of the notion that he had smelt sulphur.
CHAPTER LIII: THE SCHOOLMASTER'S COTTAGE
The following night, three of the Scaurnose fishermen--Blue Peter,
Bow o' meal, and Jeames Gentle--called at the schoolmaster's
cottage in the Alton, and were soon deep in earnest conversation
with him around his peat fire, in the room which served him for
study, dining room, and bed chamber. All the summer a honeysuckle
outside watched his back window for him; now it was guarded within
by a few flowerless plants. It was a deep little window in a thick
wall, with an air of mystery, as if thence the privileged might look
into some region of strange and precious things. The front window
was comparatively commonplace, with a white muslin curtain across
the lower half. In the middle of the sanded floor stood a table of
white deal, much stained with ink. The green painted doors of the
box bed opposite the hearth stood open, revealing a spotless white
counterpane. On the wall beside the front window hung by red cords
three shelves of books; and near the back window stood a dark,
old fashioned bureau, with pendant brass handles as bright as new,
supporting a bookcase with glass doors, crowded with well worn
bindings. A few deal chairs completed the furniture.
"It's a sair vex, sir, to think o' what we a' jeedged to be the
wark o' the speerit takin' sic a turn! I'm feart it 'll lie heavy at
oor door," said Blue Peter, after a sketch of the state of affairs.
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