A human being had been holding the light, and as the wild-man took it, the upper portion of the second person had been distinctly, though momentarily revealed. Duplin was the first to speak, after the disappearance.
"Did you see that, boys?"
"I saw something—a shadow, or—"
"I saw the form of a woman!" declared Burr, in a peculiar tone of voice.
"So I thought, but was not sure. I don't know what to think of it. There's some deep mystery here," added Paley, reflectively.
"I move we expose it, then," impulsively cried Jack. "Who knows—maybe 'tis a princess in disguise—or else carried off and kept in seclusion by some evil genie! An adventure—le's go!"
"Easy, rattlepate," laughed Duplin. "You forget what frightful tales Paul told of this creature, and whether they have any foundation in truth or not, if we attempt to solve this affair, we must use caution. If nothing more, he is a madman, and were he to discover our approach, he might do us mischief. One man then—for they must have a cave, or something of the sort—one man then could keep a thousand at bay who tried to reach him by scaling the cliff."
"Is it worth the risk?" thoughtfully uttered Wythe. "She answered his signal so promptly, there can be little doubt but she is there by her own free will. Then what right have we to molest them?"
"The right of unsatisfied curiosity—and whether you go or not, I'll not rest until I've had a good peep at the angel—for such she must be if he's a devil," cried Tyrrel, springing through the bushes as he spoke.
"Wait, Jack—you'll ruin all by your haste. We'll go—but you must not lead the way. You'll be sure to alarm them."