It stood for more than half a minute erect and listening, then, bending low beside the bed, listened a moment there.
Did no spectral dream cross the sleeping girl's vision to warn her of the dreadful fate in store for her?
Had she shrieked even now, assistance would have been speedily forthcoming, and she might have been saved!
But she quietly slumbered on.
Then the dark figure retreated as it had come, and presently another and more terrible took its place--a burly savage carrying a blanket or rug.
First the girl's clothing and shoes, her watch and all her trinkets, were gathered up and handed to someone on the lawn.
Then the savage, approaching the bed with stealthy footsteps, at once enveloped poor Peggy in the rug and bore her off.
For a moment she uttered a muffled moan or two, like a nightmare scream, then all was still as the grave.
————
"Missie Peggy! Missie Peggy," cried Beeboo next morning at eight as she entered the room. "What for you sleep so long? Ah!" she added sympathizingly, still holding the door-knob in her hand. "Ah! but den the poh chile very tired. Dance plenty mooch las' night, and--"