Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-09
CHAPTER VI.
THE SCREAM IN THE NIGHT.

CHAPTER VI.
THE SCREAM IN THE NIGHT.
For some moments, l stood staring
up into the darkness, half expecting
that shadowy figure to reappear, de-
scend the ladder. and rejoin me. Then
l shook myself together. The fact that
our plot was really moving, tina Swain
was in the enemy's country, so to
speak, gave the affair a ~finality which
1t had lacked before. 1t was too late
now to hesitate or turn back, we must
press forward. l felt as though. after
a long period of uncertainty. war had
been declared and the advance def
nitely begun. So it was with a certain
sense of relief that | turned away,
walked slowly back to the house, and
sat down against upon the porch to
wait.
Now waiting is seldom a pleas
ant or an easy thing, and /
found it that night most unpleasant
and uneasy For, before long doubts
began to crowd upon me-doubts
of he wisdom of the course l
had subscribed to, 1t would have been
wiser, / told myself, if it had been l..
and not Swain, who had gone to the
rendezvous; wiser still, perhaps. to
have sought an interview openly,
and to have made sure of the facts
before seeming to encourage what
might easily prove to be a girls more
or less romantic illusions. A midnight
Interview savored too much of melo-
drama to appeal to a middle aged
lawyer like myself, however great it's
appeal might be to youthful lovers.
AT any rate, 1 you'd be certain that
the need was very great before l on
sented to NEEDLE farther.
Somewhat comforted by this resolu-
ton and by the thought that no real
harm had as yet been done, l struck
a match and looked at my watch. 1t
was 1880. Well, whatever the story
was, Swain was hearing 1t now, and l
should hear it before long. And then
l caught the hum of an approaching
car and was ~momentarily blinded by
the glare Of acetylene lamps.
Hello. Lester" called Godfrey's
voice, I'll be back in a minute" and
he a the a on toward the rear of
the house.
l stood up with a gasp of thankful
ness. Here was some one to onfide in
and advise with. The stretch of lone
ly waiting was at an end; it had been
a trying evening.
I think the warmth of my greeting
surprised Godfrey, for he looked at
me curiously.
sit down, Godfrey" / said. "Ive got
something to tell you"
What, discoveries %already?" he
laughed. but he drew a chair close to
mine and sat down. We'll. VIII. are
they?"
[ began at the beg.lnin~ and related
the days adventures. He listened with
out comment, but l could see how lis
interest grew.
80 young Swain is over in those
grounds now" he said houghtfully
when had finished.
Yes; he's been there three-quarters
of an hour"
why do you suppose Miss Vaughan
named so late al hour?"
II don't know. Perhaps because she
was afraid of being discovered earlier
than that-or perhaps merely because
she's Just a romantic girl"
(; Godfrey sat with his head bent in
thought for a moment.
81 I'VE it," he said. A 1870 every
night her father and the adept go up
to the roof, to remain there till mid
night. Tha is the one time Of the
whole day when she is absolutely sure
to be alone. Come along. Lester!"
He was on his feet now, and his
voice was quivering with excitement.
Whe are you going?" | asked.
up the ladder. 1t is nearly ~. If
the star falls as usual we'n know that
everything is all right. If it doesn't"
He did not finish, but turned away
among the trees. In a m we were
at the ladder; iii another we
Z I1lSh dllloIlS Tx ltdSeS, StIdinlnR
our eyes through the darkness.
I'm going to look at my watch"
said Godfrey in a low voice. Lean
back and screen me-"
| heard the flash Of the match and
saw a little glare of light against the
nearest caves. Then Godfrey's voice
spoke again.
It's 3 minutes Of ~" he said.
There was a tension in his voice
which sent a shiver through me, though
| understood but di1nly what it was he
feared. The stars were shining bright
ly, and once l fancied that | saw the
strange star appear among them; but
! closed my eyes for an instant and
looked again, it was gone. Slow min
ute followed minute, and the hand
with which l clutched the adder began
to tremble. The sight of that mvste-
rious light had shaken me the night
before. but not half so deeply a; it's
absence shook me now. At last the
suspense grew uncomfortable.
1T must be long past midnight" |
whispered.
1T is" agreed Godfrey gravely; 1--WE
may as we'll go down"
He paused an instant longer to stare
out into the darkness, then descended
quickly. l followed and found him
waiting. a dark shadow. He put his
hand on my arm, and stood a moment.
as though in indecision. For myself, I
felt as though an intolerable burden
had been laid upon my shoulders.
Well l asked at last, what now?"
we must see If Swain has returned"
he answered. IL he has, all right. II
he hasn't, We'll have to go and look
for him"
What is 1t you fear, Godfrey" L de-
handed. DC you think SWANS in
danger?"
Il don't know what l fear, but there's
something wrong owe there. This is
the first night for a week that that
light hasn't appeared"
STILL" I pointed out. that may
nave nothing to do with Swain"
NO; but it's a coincidence that he
should be in the grounds-and I'm al
ways afraid of condolences. Let us
see II he is back" and he turned to-
ward the house.
But | held his arm.
III he's back" 1 said, he'll have
taken the ladders down from the WALL
That's true" and together we made