Once the stairs creaked under his weight and he stood still—the sound was preternaturally loud in an empty house; but there was no result, so that he presently continued his course of exploration.
Vehicles rumbled past the house—he could hear them plainly, as though some window were open near at hand.
Just as he reached the top of the stairs a cough reached his ears—it was a man who gave utterance to it, probably Joe.
No voices?
Eric Darrell’s wonder arose with each passing moment—strange to say, he was trembling all over now with excitement.
No living soul had ever seen this man in such a condition before, which fact went to prove how deep his interest was in the game he was now pursuing.
Not for worlds would he have stopped, now that his hand was on the plow.
The end must be near, and Joe’s deep secret could not long remain such—it must be met and dragged to the light.
Darrell looked around him, since he was now at the head of the stairs.