The form came swiftly forward, its steps pattering down the walk, another slenderer figure surged in its place upon the threshold, hovered there an instant, then plunged down into the darkness to come after it.

But the first was by now upon Mr.Wilding.
"What is it, Jasper ?" he asked, recognizing the old servant.
"Mistress Ruth!" wailed the fellow, wringing his hands.

"She.., she has been...

carried off." He got it out in gasps, winded by his short run and by the excitement that possessed him.
No word said Wilding.

He just stood and stared, scarcely understanding, and in that moment they were joined by Richard.