w so dark that in reality there was
little to be seen.

On the western side of the tower stood a grove of old trees, of forest
dimensions. They were not grouped closely, but stood a little apart from
each other, producing the effect of a row widely planted. Over the tops
of them was seen a green light, something like the danger signal at a
railway-crossing. It seemed at first quite still; but presently, when
Adam's eye became accustomed to it, he could see that it moved as if
trembling. This at once recalled to Adam's mind the light quivering
above the well-hole in the darkness of that inner room at Diana's Grove,
Oolanga's awful shriek, and the hideous black face, now grown grey with
terror, disappearing into the impenetrable gloom of the mysterious
orifice. Instinctively he laid his hand on his revolver, and stood up
ready to protect his wife. Then, seeing that nothing happened, and that
the light and all outside the tower remained the same, he softly pulled
the curtain over the window.

Sir Nathaniel switched on the light again, and in its comforting glow
they began to talk freely.

CHAPTER XXII--AT CLOSE QUARTERS

"She has diabolical cunning," said Sir Nathaniel. "Ever since you left,
she has ranged along the Brow and wherever you were accustomed to
frequent. I have not heard whence the knowledge of your movements came
to her, nor have I been able to learn any data whereon to found an
opinion. She seems to have heard both of your marriage and your absence;
but I gather, by inference, that she does not actually know where you and
Mimi are, or of your return. So soon as the dusk fails, she goes out on
her rounds, and before dawn covers the whole ground round the Brow, and
away up into the heart of the Peak. The White Worm, in her own proper
shape, certainly has great facilities for the business on which she is
now engaged. She can look into windows of any ordinary kind. Happily,
this house is beyond her reach, if she wishes--as she manifestly does--to
remain unrecognised. But, even at this height, it is wise to show no
lights, lest she might learn something of our presence or absence."

"Would it not be well, sir, if one of us could see this monster in her
real shape at close quarters? I am willing to run the risk--for I take
it there would be no slight risk in the doing. I don't suppose anyone of
our time has seen her close and lived to tell the tale."

Sir Nathaniel held up an expostula