Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/153

 could be seen, and stepped back himself into the shadows of the alcove by the dining room door.

Aunt Julie Ann returned to the kitchen, and the Judge, afraid to go upstairs, came back into the hall to enter the ballroom as he promised Stella.

As he passed through the door of the dining room the shrouded figure standing in the alcove quickly followed, cutting off this retreat.

The Judge stopped, blinked his eyes around the dim hall and muttered:

"Why, why, the lamp's gone out!" He quickly crossed the space to the table and extended his hand to turn up the lamp:

The figure behind him seized his arm and a guttural voice spoke through the mask:

"There's light enough for our work, Judge."

Butler staggered back in terror and glanced about him at the dim spectres closing around the table. With an effort he pulled himself together and stammered:

"Why, of course, boys. I see! I see! You're going to initiate me! give me the third degree first—I see—a good joke!"

"You'll find it a serious joke before you're through," replied the leader, gripping his dagger.

The Judge could see the movement of his hand as he slowly drew the knife from its sheath, the blade glistening for an instant in the dim lamp-