He turned to reascend; the furrowed flank of the mountain before him lay full in the moonlight.

To his excited fancy, a dozen luminous star-like points in the rocky crevices started into life as he faced them.

Throwing his arm over the ledge above him, he supported himself for a moment by what appeared to be a projection of the solid rock.

It trembled slightly.

As he raised himself to its level, his heart stopped beating.