Geoffrey recognized the deep rasping tones of Tchigorsky directly. Hishand dropped to his side. No need to tell him that danger was in theair. It was the thick, still kind of night that goes with adventure.
"Something has happened?" Geoffrey asked.
"Something is going to happen unless we prevent it," Tchigorsky replied."The enemy has been foiled three times lately and is getting uneasy. Hebegins to realize that he has to cope with somebody who understands thegame. It is no use to work in this deadly mysterious fashion as long ascertain people can read the danger signals and act upon them, andtherefore it has been decided to fall back upon more vulgar methods. Youare not afraid of danger?"
"Not in the least. Try me."
"The danger is great. You are dealing with some of the cleverest peopleon earth. If you are discovered you will be put away. Your courage willbe tested to the utmost. Are you ready?"
Geoffrey hesitated but for a moment. His senses seemed to be braced andstrengthened. He seemed to hear better all at once; his eyes penetratedfarther into the gloom. There was a feeling of eagerness, of exultationupon him. He took Tchigorsky's lean claw and laid it upon his leftwrist.
"Feel that," he said. "Is not my pulse steady? I am longing to goforward. Only give me a chance to find the truth."
Tchigorsky chuckled. This was the kind of grit he admired.
"You will do," he said. "And you will go alone on your expedition. Youare acquainted with all the vaults and passages of the castle by thistime; every inch of the ground is known to you. Give me your coat andshoes."
Geoffrey handed them over, getting a pair of rubber-soled shoes and arough pea jacket in exchange. In the pocket of the latter he found arevolver.
"Now what am I to do?" he demanded.
"Stand here," Tchigorsky explained. "Presently you will see a figure ortwo, perhaps more. You will not understand what they are saying, butthat makes no difference. You are to follow them, stick to them. Ifnothing happens by dawn you can afford to leave them to their owndevices. If circumstances place you in dire peril, be brave, for help isnot far off."
Geoffrey might have asked another question or two. But Tchigorsky turnedaway abruptly and was speedily lost in the darkness. And then followedfor Geoffrey the most trying part of the business, waiting for the firstsign of the foe.
Half an hour passed and still no sign. Had the affair miscarried and themiscreants got away in some other direction? Strain his ears as hewould, Geoffrey could catch nothing. Then at length something soft andrustling seemed to be creeping along on the lawn on the other side ofthe hedge.
Geoffrey crept through the gate into the garden. Almost instantly hedropped on his face, for somebody carrying a lantern was softly creepingin his direction. It was the figure of a woman, a woman who had a blacklace shawl so wrapped about her that in the feeble light it wasimpossible to make out her features. She paused and made a hissing soundbetween her teeth.
As if they had been evolved out of Geoffrey's inner consciousness, thereappeared two men upon the lawn One was lying on his back, his headsupported on the arm of his companion. They were Indian natives of somekind, but of what race precisely Geoffrey could not say. The prostrateman had an ugly cut across his forehead; it was the same man thatGeoffrey had seen looking through the window.
A crafty, ugly, sinister face it was, full of cunning malignity. Theeyes were dull, but the fires of hate were still in them. The womanstooped down and produced cool bandages soaked in some pungent liquid,which she proceeded to bind round the brows of the injured man. Even athis respectful distance Geoffrey could catch the odor of the bandages.
He watched the weird midnight scene with breathless interest. There wassomething creepy about the whole business. If these people had nothingto conceal, all this surgical work might have taken place indoor; theymight have called assistance. Geoffrey tried to catch sight of thewoman's features.
But that was impossible. Still, there was something familiar about her.Geoffrey felt quite sure that he had seen that graceful figure before.She stood up presently and Geoffrey no longer had any doubt.
It was Mrs. Mona May.
The injured man rose also. He staggered along on the arm of hiscompanion and Geoffrey could with some difficulty see them enter thesitting room. He paused in some doubt as to his next move, but before hewas called upon to decide, Mrs. May and the other native came out again.
Evidently they had left the injured man behind. Then they emerged intothe road and started off rapidly toward the cliffs.
"Going some way by the pace they are walking," Geoffrey muttered, "andat the same time they must be back before daylight, or they would neverhave dared to leave that fellow at Jessop's. What a good thing I knowthe country."
Geoffrey followed at a respectful distance, his rubber shoes making nosound. For the time of year the night was intensely dark, which was inGeoffrey's favor. Also, with his close knowledge of the locality, he hadno fear of making mistakes.
The couple were not more than fifty yards ahead of him. They had not theslightest idea they were being followed, seeing that they were talkingearnestly and none too quietly in a language that was Greek to Geoffrey.Now and again he caught the low laugh that came from the woman's lips.
By and by the cliffs were reached, and here the two began to descend apath that would have been dangerous to unaccustomed feet even in thebroad daylight. But the man seemed to know the way perfectly and thewoman followed without hesitation. They came presently to the firm sand,fringed by the ebbing tide.
Then they turned to the right, pausing at length before a solid-lookingexpanse of cliff that stood right under Ravenspur Castle. One momentthey loomed darkly against the brown rocks, the next minute they seemedto be swallowed up by the cliffs. They had entered the mouth of a cave.
Geoffrey followed still more cautiously. On and on they went, until atlength they paused. Then the light from the lantern grew stronger. Frombehind a ledge of seaweed-clad granite Geoffrey watched them furtively.They were waiting for something--a signal, probably--before goingfarther.
The signal seemed to come at last, from where it was impossible forGeoffrey to judge, and then the advance was resumed. Presently theyemerged into the deep below-tide level vault under the castle, whereGeoffrey had seen Marion walking in her sleep.
Mrs. May turned to her companion and gave him some sharp command. Shehad lost all her levity and Geoffrey could see that her dark eyes wereglowing. The native salaamed and laid his hand upon the lantern. Thenext instant the place was plunged into pitchy darkness. Five, tenminutes passed, and nothing was heard but the lap of the ebbing tide onthe shore. Then a hand was gently laid on Geoffrey's arm.