Page 299 - The snake's pass

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A MIDNIGHT TREASURE HUNT. 287
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threat " Where is lie Dick ? He must deal with me
for that."
" Steady, Art! steady!" and Dick laid his hand on me.
" Go on ! " I said.
" I couldn't go after him, for I had to watch Moynahan,
whom I followed close, and I caught hold of as soon as
I thought Murdock was too far to see me. I was only
just in time, for as I touched him he staggered, lurched
forward, and was actually beginning to sink in the bog
It was at one of those spots where the rock runs sheer
down into the morass. It took all my strength to pull
him out, and when I did get him on the rock he sank
down again into his drunken sleep. I thought the
wisest thing I could do was to go to Joyce's for help ; and
as, thanks to my experiments with the magnets all those
weeks, I knew the ground fairly well, I was able to
find my way—although the task was a slow and difficult
one.
When I got near I saw a light at the window. My
rubber boots, I suppose, and the plash of the falling
rain dulled my footsteps, for as I drew near I could
see that a man was looking in at the window, but he did
not hear me. I crept up behind the hedge and watched
him. He went to the door and knocked—evidently net
for the first time then the door was opened, and I
;
could see Joyce's figure against the light that came from
the kitchen.
" ' Who's there ? What is it ? * he asked. Then
I heard Murdock' s voice :