"There! there!" he soothed. "Now you are all right. Dad's here, and we
will be all right presently. Norah sent out the relief stuff--you be
starved and perished."
"He won't come in," called Nat, referring to the man outside, "Says he's
afraid."
"Oh, the foolish fellow," replied the major. "I had the greatest time to
get him here, once he found out I was coming to the castle. He vowed he
saw lights, and heard screams. He's the fellow who drove the woman out
here--Abe, you know."
"Oh, yes," said Nat. "That's it. Well, if he won't come in he'll freeze."
"Perhaps if he sees girls-- I'll go and ask him," volunteered Dorothy,
now somewhat composed.
Although they had passed from the rear hall to the front, Tom kept his eye
on the end of the long passageway. He had seen a light flash back
there--he could have sworn to it.
"Here he is!" called Dorothy. "I knew old Abe would come in when I asked
him. Right over here, Abe. See, we have plenty of light--"
As if by magic, or some uncanny power, no sooner had she uttered the word
"light" than a brilliant flash was plainly seen at the rear of the hall.
The next moment a piercing scream rang out--the same they had heard once
before--only so much more terrible to them now--so hideous--so fiendish!
The old colored man tried to move, but he stood as if transfixed.
Major Dale was major again, there ready to order, to command--erect,
brave, bold, defiant.
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