Chapter Thirty Seven.
Found!
The little company of watchers sprang to their feet with one accord and listened, as Stephen wildly flung up the window. The storm burst into the room as he did so, with all its vehemence, drenching those who stood near, and deafening every one with its roar. But no other sound could be heard. Stephen, heedless of the weather, stood motionless with his head out of the window, listening. Alas! it must have been a false hope after all—a brother’s fancy.
“A mistake, I fear,” said Dr Senior. “Greenfield, I think you had better close the window. It will be daylight in—”
He had not time to finish his sentence, for with a sudden exclamation and a shout of, “There it is again; come, Wray!” the boy had leapt from the low window, half clad as he was, into the garden.
For Wraysford to follow him was the work of an instant. Mr Rastle and Roach the porter did the same, while the others went hurriedly out into the passage to the hall door. Close as they were to one another, Wraysford lost sight of Stephen for a moment in the blinding sleet which dashed full in their faces. But he heard him shouting a few yards off, and was at his side the same moment.
“No use shouting,” said he, “against the wind.”
“I must shout!” exclaimed Stephen, calling out once more.
“Where—what did you hear?” asked Wraysford.