"Wait.

No use--now." There was a curious understanding in his voice--a curious sympathy, too, in the patient, untroubled gaze that dwelt upon his sister and this weirdly exquisite woman who held her.
"Wait!" exclaimed Drake.

"Wait--hell! The damned witch is stealing her away from us!" Again he threw himself forward; recoiled as though swept back by an invisible arm; fell against us and was clasped and held by Ventnor.

And as he struggled the Thing we rode halted.

Like metal waves back into it rushed the enigmatic billows that had washed over the fragments of the city.
We were lifted; between us and the woman and girl a cleft appeared; it widened into a rift.