The forest came out of the black void and stood sombre and pensive over the sparkling water.

The breeze died away into a breathless calm.
Seamanlike, the two officers tramped measuredly up and down without exchanging a word.

The loose planks rattled rhythmically under their steps with obstrusive dry sound in the perfect silence of the night.

As they were wheeling round again the younger man stood attentive.
"Did you hear that ?" he asked.
"No!" said the other.

"Hear what ?" "I thought I heard a cry.