The night was darker than ever, and a fine rain was falling
incessantly. When they left the dimly lighted archway of the
fort through the smaller, gate set in the larger one they stepped
into midnight blackness such as must have been spread over the
land of Egypt. In accordance with the primitive customs of
Gartley inhabitants, one of them at least should have been
furnished with a lantern, as it was no easy task to pick a clean
way through the mud.---However, Archie, knowing the surroundings
better even than Random, led the way, and they walked slowly
through the iron gate on the hard high road which led to the
Fort. Immediately beyond this they turned towards the narrow
cinder path which led through the marshes to Mrs. Jasher's
cottage, and toiled on cautiously through the misty rain, which
fell continuously. The fog was drifting up from the mouth of the
river and was growing so thick that they could not see the
somewhat feeble lights of the cottage. However, Archie's
instincts led him aright, and they blundered finally upon the
wooden gate. Here they paused in shocked surprise, for a woman's
scream rang out wildly and suddenly.
"What, in heaven's name, is that?" asked Hope, aghast.
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