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He suddenly heard steps in the room where the old woman lay. He

stopped short and was still as death. But all was quiet, so it

must have been his fancy. All at once he heard distinctly a faint

cry, as though someone had uttered a low broken moan. Then again

dead silence for a minute or two. He sat squatting on his heels

by the box and waited holding his breath. Suddenly he jumped up,

seized the axe and ran out of the bedroom.