"Now hark, all of you," fell almost soundlessly from her lips, as
she laid her own ear against the curtain.
And they hearkened.
Not a murmur came from within, not so much as the faintest rustle
of clothing or the flutter of a withheld breath. All was perfectly
still--too still. As the full force of this fact impressed itself
upon them, a blankness settled over their features. The
significance of this undisturbed quiet was making itself felt. If
the two were there, or if he were there alone, they would
certainly hear some movement, voluntary or involuntary--and they
could hear nothing. Was the woman gone? Had she found her way out
front while they approached from the rear? And the judge! Was he
gone also?--this man of inalterable habits--gone before Bela's
return--a thing he had not been known to do in the last twelve
years? No, no, this could not be. Yet even this supposition was
not so incredible as that he should still be here and SILENT. Men
like him do not hold their peace under a provocation so great as
the intrusion of a mob of strangers into a spot where he never
anticipated seeing anybody, nor had seen anybody but his man Bela
for years. Soon they would hear his voice. It was not in nature
for him to be as quiet as this in face of such audacity.
Yet who could count upon the actions of an Ostrander, or reckon
with the imperious whims of a man mysterious beyond all
precedent?--He may be there but silent, or--
A single glance would settle all.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25