"A madman, I think," I answered, tucking her trembling little hand under my left arm. But at the back of my mind was whispering the grisly realization that no madman ever had a voice like that. It sounded--God!--it sounded like some bestial creature speaking with human words, but not with a human tongue! "Get on the other side of Miss Brent, Ashley," I directed. "Keep as far from the trees as you can. If anything moves on that side, shoot first and ask questions later. I'll do the same on this side. Now come on!" He made no reply as he complied; his fright seemed deeper than that of the girl; his breath came in shuddering gasps. The trail seemed endless, the darkness abysmal. Fear stalked along the trail on either hand, and slunk grinning at our backs. My flesh crawled with the thought of a demoniacal clawed and fanged _thing_ hurling itself upon my shoulders. The girl's little feet scarcely touched the ground, as we almost carried her between us. Ashley was almost as tall as I, though not so heavy, and was strongly made. Ahead of us a light glimmered between the trees at last, and a gusty sigh of relief burst from his lips. He increased his pace until we were almost running. "The cabin at last, thank God!" he gasped, as we plunged out of the trees. "Hail your employer, Ashley," I grunted. "He's driven me off with a gun once tonight. I don't want to be shot by the old----" I stopped, remembering the girl. "Mr. Brent!" shouted Ashley. "Mr. Brent! Open the door quick! It's me--Ashley!" Instantly light flooded from the door as the upper half was drawn back, and Brent peered out, shotgun in hand, blinking into the darkness. "Hurry and get in!" Panic still thrummed in his voice. Then: "Who's that standing beside you?" he shouted furiously. "Mr. Garfield and your niece, Miss Gloria." "Uncle Richard!" she cried, her voice catching in a sob. Pulling loose from us, she ran forward and threw her lithe body half over the lower door, throwing her arms around his neck. "Uncle Richard, I'm so afraid! What does this all mean?" He seemed thunderstruck. "Gloria!" he repeated. "What in heaven's name are you doing here?" "Why, you sent for me!" She fumbled out a crumpled yellow telegraph form. "See? You said for me to come at once!" He went livid again. "I never sent that, Gloria! Good God, why should I drag you into my particular hell? There's something devilish here. Come in--come in quickly!" * * * * * He jerked open the door and pulled her inside, never relinquishing the shotgun. He seemed to fumble in a daze. Ashley shouldered in after her, and exclaimed to me: "Come in, Mr. Garfield! Come in--come in!"