He slammed the door behind them, and descending the piazza steps, started down the avenue leading to the Fort Washington road beyond, regardless of the pelting rain, his companion following without a word.
Hard as it had poured all day long, and now far into the night, not at any time had the storm assumed such violence as now.
The water fell about them in torrents, the wind swept through the tops of the tall oak-trees with a wild, unearthly moan.
Now what possessed the man Tisdale to pause before he had advanced ten paces from the old mansion, and turn to survey its gloomy front once more, is something we cannot tell.
But turn he did, and simultaneously with the movement there broke from his lips a wild, unearthly yell.
"Lije! For God's sake! There she is again!"
And Elijah Callister also turned.
From out of the darkness before him there shot a blaze of light.
The door of the old mansion stood wide open.
The piazza, the great hall, and even the staircase beyond, were to be seen illuminated with the brightness of day.