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forced his glance from the shadows which seemed more active
along the walls.  He raised his candle and stared at the dead
man.  The cast was undoubtedly there.  The coat, stretched
tightly across the breast, outlined it.  He stood at the side of
the bed.  He had only to bend and place his hand in the pocket
which the cast filled awkwardly.  The wind alone, he saw, wasn’t
responsible for the shaking of the candle.  His hand shook as
the shadows shook, as the thing on the bed shook.  The sense of
loneliness grew upon him until it became complete, appalling. 
For the first time he understood that loneliness can possess a
ponderable quality.  It was, he felt, potent and active in the
room—­a thing he couldn’t understand, or challenge, or overcome.
His hand tightened.  He thought of Katherine guarding the
corridor; of Paredes and Doctor Groom, held downstairs by
Graham; of the county authorities hurrying to seize this
evidence that would convict him;