Page:The woman, the man, and the monster (IA womanmanmonster00dawe).pdf/285

 What cause of fear had she with him beside her?

What was that? Softly he sprang to his feet and crossed over to the window. Even a cat might not have heard the sound. Yet low as it was it fell distinctly on his ear. He looked out into the night.

“Andromeda!” he whispered; “Andromeda!”

Out of the darkness came a low, mocking laugh, and Brenton, his face ghastly, pallid, emerged into the light.

“So you keep late vigil,” he sneered.

But Vermont did not mark the tone; he only saw the man who had gone in pursuit.

“Have you seen her?” he asked eagerly.

The other laughed that low, cold, tantalising laugh.

“No—not yet.. But see how the moths are attracted by that light.” Then he laughed again. “She will return.”

His teeth gleamed ominously behind his pale lips; the eyes were shining with an unnatural brilliancy, shining like pin points of fire through the night. He was bareheaded, and his dark hair hung low on his forehead in

‘jagged wisps. His collar had gone, torn away