Darke was convinced from her description of the place, that she had witnessed this strange scene somewhere in the vicinity of the twin avengers’ cavern lodge; and he recalled to mind the words that he had overheard the big hunter speak in the small, closely-curtained apartment of the cave.
He seemed to hear them again, so vividly were they impressed on his mind:
“Does he show any signs of life yet? Can’t be he’s dead!”
Was there any connection between these unexplained words and the mystery of the white horse and its rider? Were they in any way identified?
Darke thought so.
He stood leaning against the rude mantelpiece over the fireplace for several minutes, his mind busy with conjectures. But no satisfactory explanation came to the relief of his mystified mind; and the mystery of the oaken chest, the secret of the Maybob twins, the strange words of the giant hunter, and the disappearing horse and man, persisted in remaining as deep a mystery as ever.
Vinnie, who was naturally anxious to learn the particulars of her father’s accident and subsequent protracted absence and fortunate though unlooked-for appearance in the forest at the very moment when he could be instrumental in saving her life, had been regarding him attentively for a while, waiting for him to speak and not wishing to break in on his musings.
“Strange!” he said, at last, looking up suddenly. “What can have become of the dog? I never knew him to behave so before! It must be that—”
He was interrupted by a slight noise at the door. He listened intently; and a moment later the blood-hound’s well-known appeal for admittance greeted his ear.
“It is Death!” said Vinnie, hastening to open the door. “He’s come back!”