"I know what you mean by that last," I nodded gloomily. "If there were ten thousand friendly constables in the neighborhood, instead of a single hostile one, they wouldn't believe us." "Right," agreed Judge Pursuivant. "We're like the group of perplexed mortals in _Dracula_, who had only their own wits and weapons against a monster no more forbidding than ours." * * * * * It is hard to show clearly how his constant offering of parallels and rationalizations comforted us. Only the unknown and unknowable can terrify completely. We three were even cheerful over a bottle of wine that William fetched and poured out in three glasses. Judge Pursuivant gave us a toast--"May wolves go hungry!"--and Susan and I drank it gladly. "Don't forget what's on our side," said the judge, putting down his glass. "I mean the stedfast and courageous heart, of which I preached to Wills last night, and which we can summon from within us any time and anywhere. The werewolf, dauntlessly faced, loses its dread; and I think we are the ones to face it. Now we're ready for action." I said that I would welcome any kind of action whatsoever, and Susan touched my arm as if in endorsement of the remark, Judge Pursuivant's spectacles glittered in approval. "You two will go into the Devil's Croft," he announced. "I'm going back to town once more." "Into the Devil's Croft!" we almost shouted, both in the same shocked breath. "Of course. Didn't we just get through with the agreement all around that the lycanthrope can and must be met face to face? Offense is the best defense, as perhaps one hundred thousand athletic trainers have reiterated." "I've already faced the creature once," I reminded him. "As for appearing dauntless, I doubt my own powers of deceit." "You shall have a weapon," he said. "A fire gives light, and we know that such things must have darkness--such as it finds in the midst of that swampy wood. So fill your pockets with matches, both of you." "How about a gun?" I asked, but he shook his head. "We don't want the werewolf killed. That would leave the whole business in mystery, and yourself probably charged with another murder. He'd return to his human shape, you know, the moment he was hurt even slightly." Susan spoke, very calmly: "I'm ready to go into the Croft, Judge Pursuivant." He clapped his hands loudly, as if applauding in a theater. "Bravo, my dear, bravo! I see Mr. Wills sets his jaw. That means he's ready to go with you. Very well, let us be off." He called to William, who at his orders brought three lanterns--sturdy old-fashioned affairs, protected by strong wire nettings--and filled them with oil. We each took one and set out. It had turned clear and frosty once more, and the moon shone too brightly for my comfort, at least. However, as we approached the grove, we saw no sentinels; they could hardly be blamed for deserting, after the fate of the younger O'Bryant.