He dodged swiftly from bush to bush, darted under the window through which he had seen Marion, leaped lightly up the broad steps and sprang into the great room, his pistol cocked in his hand.
The room was empty.

He listened, but not a sound came to his ears except the rustling of a curtain in the breeze.

The huge lamp over the table was burning dimly.

The five doors leading from the room were tightly closed.

Nathaniel held his breath, tried to still the tumultuous pounding of his heart as he waited for a sound of life--a step beyond those doors, a woman's voice, a child's cry.