Thinking it just as well to move from the spot he then occupied, Bat, pistol in hand, made his way along the crest of the hill and struck into a path which was to some extent shaded from the moon’s rays. He had a very clear recollection of the brisk rattle of shots in the vaults on the day before, and he had no desire to court another such.
But he picked his way along through the rising ground without mischance; the river gleamed coldly and smoothly; the walls and towers of Schwartzberg looked darker at close hand, and lost the ghostly, transparent quality which they had taken from the distance. Bat was somewhat disappointed.
“Here I take a gentleman’s promise—for that’s what it really was—of some entertainment. I even think enough of it to draw a gun, and pick the covered spots. And now there’s nothing doing. What the dickens is the world coming to when a fellow can’t——”
There was a loud splash from the river close by; looking quickly in that direction Bat saw a bulky form stumbling about in the shallows under a bank. Two other forms instantly appeared and steadied the burly one; then all disappeared like a flash.
“The curtain,” observed Bat, grimly, “is a little late in rising; but it seems we’re going to have a show after all.”
Holding to the shadow thrown by the high wall, he made his way cautiously toward the spot. On the edge of the shadow he paused, but there was no sound; so, with his automatic held ready, he stepped out into the light and advanced toward the bank. A broken place was plain; but no one was in sight.
“The big fellow stood too close to the edge; then the thing caved in and let him down into the water,” reasoned Bat. “But,” and his gaze went about, “what’s become of him and the parties who offered the helping hand in his time of need?”
The river bank was clear of all obstructions for some distance above and below Schwartzberg; the moonlight flooded it; there was no place where any one could hide.
“That being the case, and the prowling parties not being in sight, I think I’ll step back where I can’t be so readily seen,” said the big man.
He had turned about and was moving away from the river when a rifle sounded; clear against the moonlit sky he made out Kretz upon the wall.