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the Hollow, I paused a ain; but the deep silence was all unbroken, save for the

slu of the brook, that stole up to me from the

shadows, and I wondered idly what that sudden sound an to descend this leafy path, and went on toforthe trees, for the moon was low as yet,

but, every now and then, she sent a kindly ray through so amid the leaves, so that as I descended the path I seeh small, li at soe of one of these pools--a white claw--a hand whose fingers,

talon-like, had sunk deep and e hand, was an ar that bulked acrossforward, I stood looking down at that which lay at my

feet--so very still; and stooped suddenly, and turned it over

that Iit, started back in

shuddering horror For, in those features--hideous with blood,

stained and blackened with powder, I recognizedthe stick that had snapped, I

wondered no more, but a sudden deadly faintness caainst a tree near by

A rustling of leaves--a shuddering breath, and, though I did not

raise my head, I knew that Charmian was there