Then a scream above which could be heard the jangling of a rusty lock and the bumping of a shoulder against wood.

High and strident came Crazy Laura's voice: "Stay out of there--I tell you, Roady! Stay out of there! It's something that mortals should n't see--it's something--stay out--stay out!" "I won't--unlock this door!" "I can't do it--the time has n't come yet--I must n't--" "You won't--well, there 's another way." A crash, the sudden, stumbling feet of a man, then the scratching of a match and an exclamation: "So this is your immortal, eh ?" Only a moaning answered, moaning intermingled with some vague form of a weird chant, the words of which Fairchild in the musty, dark hall below could not distinguish.

At last came Squint's voice again, this time in softened tones: "Laura--Laura, honey." "Yes, Squint." "Why did n't you tell your sweetheart about this ?" "I must n't--you 've spoiled it now, Roady." "No--Honey.

I can show you the way.

He 's nearly gone.