A moment later the figure was standing. It reached out to the lantern on the kegs and opened it. The next moment black darkness descended, shutting out the sight of the sprawled body of the murdered man. Then came the soft padding of moccasined feet.
Outside the cave the uncertain light of the moon shining down between the overhang of gorge revealed a newcomer. It might even have been the return of the earlier visitor, the one who had knelt searching the body of the murdered police officer. It was impossible in that half-light to identify it. The outline was similar. But there is so little to differentiate in the outline of heavy furs in a snow country.
But now there was something furtive in the manner of approach. It suggested fear of discovery, for the figure was hugging every shadow cast by the overhang of rock, and its every movement was as stealthy as the deeps of drift snow would permit. It came on slowly, laboriously. And at last it halted just outside the entrance to the cave with an ear cocked, obviously listening for any sound to suggest danger.
The profundity of silence was intense. The cavern had become a veritable sepulchre, assuming the atmosphere, to which, as such, it seemed entitled. It was almost as if nothing could ever again disturb the place. As though the recent momentary crash of gunfire was an unreality, a dream, a figment of imagination.
The newcomer leaned forward peering. Whatever the ultimate purpose for a long time there was no attempt to pass those black, yawning portals. But at last there came definite movement. It was as though confidence had more fully returned. The figure moved forward towards the engulfing darkness. And, in a moment, all that remained to proclaim the visit was the soft shuffle of footsteps over the rough surface of the cavern floor.
A pair of dark eyes shone in the reflected light which outlined the entrance to the cavern. There was no longer the impression of the sepulchre. The lantern on the stack of kegs had been relit. It had only just flashed out, its yellow rays illuminating a scene which amazed, almost paralyzed the brain behind the startled gaze endeavoring to take in and sort out the meaning of what it beheld.
The light threw into relief every detail of the industry, which for so long had remained secret. There stood all the complicated paraphernalia which made up the primitive still. There stood the various rough adjuncts, denoting human occupation. Then there was that store of liquor ready prepared for shipment.
But the gaze that took in these details found nothing in them to interest. For the time being they were completely meaningless. It was that by the stack of kegs, and in the full rays of lantern light, that stirred a spasm of horror so deep that it left the faculties stunned.