incredulity of a staunch unbeliever invited to a spiritualist's
seance, was conscious for a moment of an absolutely new sensation.
A person of acute psychological instincts, he found himself
analysing that sensation almost as soon as it was conceived.

"There is no doubt," he confessed under his breath, "that I am
afraid!"

His heart was beating with unaccustomed vigour; he was conscious
of an acute tingling in all his senses. Then, still lying on his
stomach, almost holding his breath, he saw the thin line of light
from an electric torch steal out along the surface of the sea,
obviously from the hand of his fellow watcher. Almost at that
same moment the undefined agitation which had assailed him passed.
He set his teeth and watched that line of light. It moved slowly
sideways along the surface of the sea, as though searching for
something. Julian drew himself cautiously, inch by inch, to the
extremity of the sand hummock. His brain was working with a new
clearness. An inspiration flashed in upon him during those few
seconds. He knew the geography of the place well,--the corner of
the barn, the steeple beyond, and the watcher lying in a direct
line. His cipher was explained!

Perfectly cool now, Julian thought with some regret of the
revolver which he had scorned to bring. He occupied himself,
during these seconds of watching, by considering with care what
his next action was to be. If he even set his foot upon the
shingle, the watcher below would take alarm, and if he once ran
away, pursuit was hopeless. The figure, so far as he could
distinguish it, was more like that of a boy than a man. Julian