Byrne turned the key in the heavy lock and put it calmly in his pocket.He did so much more from caution¹ than from any kind of fear.This was the only entrance to the house,and he did not mean to be caught unawares by any danger from outside.He wondered if Tom Corbin had been as cautious² the night before.Though Tom would be away for at least three days,Byrne had a strange feeling of his nearness.In the stillness he seemed to hear Tom's voice.He looked round quickly, for the tricks of hearing are the most realistic³ of all.But there were only the women.It seemed impossible that Tom should not be there.
 
The girl,carrying a smoky oil lamp,led Byrne upstairs.He threw open one after another the doors along the passage.At this,the girl stopped and raised the lamp in each doorway,staring at him meanwhile.Satisfied⁴ he was the only guest,Byrne came to the last door,which the girl threw open herself.
 
"You sleep here,sir" she said,giving him the lamp."Your friend slept here too.It's our most comfortable bed."
 
"Good night,miss," he said politely.

Her lips⁵ moved in reply, but he did not catch the words.Her eyes never for a moment left his face.He stepped in,and as he turned to close the door she was still standing⁶ there motionless⁷.He paused,and in the silence he thought he again heard the sound of Tom's voice.The sound ferrified him now ,not only because it seemed much nearer but also because he imagined a note of warning⁸ in it.
 
1.Why did Byrne take the key with him?
a.to let Tom in,when he turned.
b.because he was afraid of what was going to happen
c.to stop any enemy being let into the house
d.because he did not want the women to escape
 
2.We know from the passage that Tom Corbin_____.
a.had left the house three days befor
b.had left quite as suspicious⁹ as Byrne was
c.has stayed in the house for three days.
d.had slept in the house the night before
 
3.Byrne was surprised when he turned round because_____.
a.Tom was not in the room
b.he had not expected to find Tom there
c.there was no danger behind him
d.the women were there
 
4.Why did Byrne look inside each room?
a.he wanted to choose the best room for himself
b.he was looking for tom corbin
c.the girl wanted him to examine each of the rooms.
d.he wished to make sure there was no one inside
 
5.Although Byrne politely wished the girl good night_____.
a.she gave him a rude answer
b.she did not leave him
c.she refused to look at him
d.she said nothing to him
 
6.What made Byrne very frighteded?
a.the strangeness of the place
b.being along,at the end of the passage
c.the sound he thought he heard
d.the danger out side

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