The wind had increased to a gale, and whistled and shrieked round the gables of the old castle; loud peals of thunder burst overhead, rolling away into distance like the beating of muffled drums, and at times the sky was ablaze with lightning. Rain began to patter in huge drops on the roof, when a horseman galloped up to the stables. It was Magnus Susman, whom the storm had driven home much earlier than was his wont. He let his horse go, and hurried through the garden, and round the house to the kitchen. Here he called loudly for Gallagher; but only the deafening thunder answered him; a fierce gust whisked his surtout like twining snakes about his legs, and the rain pelted on his face.
"Curse the fellow!" he muttered. "He's a--nuisance. Doors and windows wide open, and wind and rain beating in everywhere. What's the fellow mean? Gallagher!"
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