He shrank from that black opening
in the wall of trees where dead leaves rustled and the wind whispered
secrets to the barren branches.
He fell in behind a couple of men who strode fearlessly into the
dark avenue. After him came two men and a woman. They were all
strangers to him, so far as he could make out, but he felt a sense
of security in their nearness. He gathered that they were bound for
Amos Vick's. Presently they came to the open road beyond the trees.
The half moon rode high and clear; the figures of his companions took
shape, dusky and ghost-like; the fences alongside the road became
visible, while straw-ricks, lone trees and other shadowy objects
emerged from the maw of the night. Here and there in the distance
points of light indicated the presence of invisible farmhouses,
while straight ahead, a mile or more away, a cluster of lights
marked the house of Amos Vick.
As he drew nearer, Thane was able to count the lights. He looked
intently for the sixth window, an upstairs corner room was where
it would be,--but there were lights in only five. The corner window
was dark. He knew that window well....He wished he had a stiff
drink of whiskey.
Half a dozen automobiles stood at the roadside in front of the
house. He stopped beside one of them to look at his wrist-watch.
It was half-past eight. Alix would be starting home in less than
an hour.
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