But even after she had said it she felt a sense of uncontrollable terror that she could not account for; felt the weight of some strange presence.
That voice!
When Ida cried aloud in her despair, the words fell like an electric shock upon the ears of a man who listened behind the alder branches.
"By all that is wonderful!" he cried, under his breath. "Either my ears have deceived me, or that is the voice of Ida May! Well, well! Will surprises never cease?"
He stepped quickly forward, and the next moment he was by her side. How strange it was that at that instant the moon came out from behind a cloud and rendered every object as bright as if in the noonday sun.
At the sound of the step, Ida started back in affright.
One glance into the face looking down into her own and she started back with a cry that was scarcely human.
"You!" she gasped.
Then her lips grew cold and stiff. She could not utter another word.
"The surprise is mutual!" he answered. "What in the name of all that is wonderful are you doing in this house? Come, my dear, let us sit down on this log while you explain matters."