Just then he turned his head and looked up at the castle. At an open window he saw something move. It was a woman in white—a tall woman. Bat’s straining eyes made her out.
“The young one,” said he, softly.
The window was dark, but the white of the gown was distinct; and the outlines, vague though they were, were unmistakable. And she seemed to be looking out over the swelling country toward the northwest.
“There are events to be looked for, as I thought,” murmured Mr. Scanlon. “Doings are being started just as sure as she stands in that window.”
He turned his eyes away from the shadowy window and toward the equally shadowy quarter which held the girl’s attention. For a space all was alike; it seemed evenly dark. Then he began to perceive points of light between the hills; these were low places in the western sky which the night had not stained completely black. Against one of these, Bat, as he looked, caught a movement; some slinking, peculiar figures crossed it and were at once swallowed up.
“Right,” muttered Mr. Scanlon, grimly. “Just stay still for a little, and I’ll be with you.”
And with that he quietly descended the slope of the hill upon which Schwartzberg stood, and made off into the darkness.
CHAPTER IX
IN WHICH SOME THINGS ARE DONE AND SOME OTHERS ARE SAID
AS Bat went cautiously onward, the place where he had seen the movement marked in his mind, he was aware of a glimmering of light over his shoulder. Turning his head he saw the rim of the moon pushing its way above the trees behind him.
“Hello!” said he. “Here’s our friend with the smiling face, and I don’t know whether I’m glad to see him or not.” He stood gazing at the disc, which mounted rapidly, throwing its cold rays along the hills. “Anyway,” continued Bat, philosophically, “I caught him over my right shoulder, and that means a run of luck. So with things fixed in my favour, I’d better go on.”