“You don’t think the girl has come to any harm?” Strode inquired as we began to grope our way outwards.
“I have my fears about it. If this visit of Rallenstein’s has taken the Count by surprise, there is no telling to what extremities panic may have driven him. On the other hand, he may simply have hidden her away more securely. He said she had been murdered three days ago.”
“The black scoundrel!”
“Whereas, we know she was alive this afternoon. I have hope there.”
“And that is the most likely thing to have happened. I’d stake my life on hers up to now. Only there is no time to be lost, if we have to take this devil’s den by assault to-morrow.”
“Let’s hope force won’t be necessary,” I said. “It would be simple madness, however justifiable. Much will depend on the length of Rallenstein’s stay.”
“That won’t be long,” Strode replied confidently. “Put yourself in the old Jaguar’s place and ask yourself how long you’d feel inclined to stay in that rural Chamber of Horrors.”
So discussing the chances of the situation, we at length reached the entrance, and without further incident returned to our inn.