442
WYLDER'S H.iJVD.
stealthily drawn, and then the handle of the spring-lock
turned, and the door cautiously opened, and as gently
closed.
Mr. Larcom's fears now naturally subsided, and curiosity
as naturally supervened. He drew near his window; and
it was well he had extinguished his lights, for as he did so,
Captain Lake's light figure, in a gray paletot and cloth
cap, glided by like a spirit in the faint moonlight.
Mr. Larcom had no theory whatsoever to account for
this procedure on the part of his master. It must be
something very extraordinary, and well worth investigating
— of course, for the benefit of the family — which could
have evoked the apparition which had just crossed his
window. With his eyes close to the window pane, he saw
his master glide swiftly along the short terrace which
covers this side of the house, and disappear down the steps,
like a spectre sinking into the earth.
It is a meeting, thought Mr. Larcom, taking courage,
for he already felt something of the confidence and supe-
riority of possessing a secret; and as quickly as might
be, the trustworthy man, with his latch-key in his pocket,
softly opened the portal through which the object of his
anxiety had just emerged, closed the door behind him, and
stood listening intently in the recess of the entrance,
where he heard the now more careless step of the
Captain, treading, as he thought, the broad yew-walk,
which turns at a right angle at the foot of the terrace
step. The black yew hedge was a perfect screen.
Here was obviously presented a chance of obtaining the
command of a secret of greater or less importance. It
was a considerable stake to play for. and well worth a
trifling risk.
Therefore, with decision and caution, he followed Cap-
tain Lake's march, and reaching the yew-walk, he saw the