Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/274

MY LADY OF THE SOUTH revealing anything suspicious. The mystery oppressed me, caused me almost to doubt the facts, and to question the evidence of my own senses.

At the foot of the short ladder I handed the lantern to one of the men—a young fellow, with slight moustache, I remember—taking his carbine with me with which to pry up the trap door.

"Hold the light until all are up," I commanded, "and then blow it out before you climb the ladder."

From the floor of the cabin I reached down, and Masterson passed up the girl, my hands steadying her as she clambered eagerly up. In the darkness I could not see where the wounded man lay, but I managed to touch O'Brien, whispering to him to take her at once to Donald. I heard a kiss, the murmur of low voices conversing, and, with gritted teeth, turned back to hasten the movements of the men below.

"Up with you, lads—no talking, but come up, one at a time."

I leaned over, counting as they came up, their forms outlined by the flame of the lantern in the tunnel. The last one clambered through the opening, and found room to stand in the narrow space. The soldier below, the light on his upturned face, still held the lantern level with his head.

"Shall I put it out now, sir, and come up?" he questioned, as though doubtful of his former orders.

"Yes—they are all here."

I saw him turn down the wick, and blow out the flame. In the dense blackness below I heard him set the lantern [ 260 ]