“No, nor ever was,” said Johnston positively. “Anyway, I think it was a snake. The mare thought it was something uncanny. She went crazy, and began to rave and tear like a bucking automobile. Just as I thought I was getting her calmed I stepped on a round stone, that slid me down into a gully on one side of my face. Again I felt that strange rush of foul air. Jezebel gave a yell and broke away, and I was adrift on the broad prairies. There’s one thing I noticed—oh, well, I suppose I imagined it.”
“No. Go on. Tell us what it was.”
“Well, the draft of wind seemed to come from opposite directions. It seemed as if something had passed and repassed above me.”
Dick Colton turned to Haynes. “‘The Wonderful Whalley’ is somewhere on the knolls,” he said.
“Yes; but he isn’t flying around in the air on a broomstick.”
“One could almost believe he had other attributes of the vampire besides the blood-thirst,” replied Colton. “Ev, Mr. Johnston will show you your room. Come down when you’re ready. I’ve got something to look after.”
“You’re worried about Miss—about the Ravendens,” said Haynes to Dick as the junior Colton left the room. “Wait a moment, till I get lanterns. I’m going with you.”
“Thank you,” said Dick quietly. “I thought you would. Ev won’t like it much when he finds there’s something afoot and he has been left out.”
“He’s had his share. I’ve an idea that your brother has been near to death to-night.”
“The more reason for haste, then.”