strange power that I now sat awestruck and afraid, waiting
for some word from him to end my suspense. I could see
nothing in the darkness, but I could hear my uncle breathing
heavily, as if trying to suppress his emotion. Suddenly
there was a stir in the bushes near us. Then I heard a step
like that of a man on the thickly covered earth close by my
side. I stretched out prone upon the ground, covering my
face with my hands. I could hear a sound as of some one
groping about in the darkness, and then I felt the touch of
a strange hand upon my shoulder.



CHAPTER VI


I shrank from the hand that touched me and, moving quickly
aside, struck a match and peered around. By its light I
could discern the form of a man standing near the edge of
the thicket. Rising to my feet I took down the lantern and
lighted it. There, standing before me, was the grinning mute
who had admitted me to the house. My uncle, who was still
kneeling, rose feebly to his feet, his eyes wet with tears.

"Good friend!" said he, taking the lantern from me and
handing it to the mute. "He alway comes for me here."

We followed the old servant in silence through the thick
boughs of cedar until we came to the door of a low-roofed
wooden building that stood by itself in the thicket. The