tory hand.

"Good God, lad, what are you suggesting? Think of your wife, and all
that is at stake."

"It is of Mimi that I think--for her sake that I am willing to risk
whatever is to be risked."

Adam's young bride was proud of her man, but she blanched at the thought
of the ghastly White Worm. Adam saw this and at once reassured her.

"So long as her ladyship does not know whereabout I am, I shall have as
much safety as remains to us; bear in mind, my darling, that we cannot be
too careful."

Sir Nathaniel realised that Adam was right; the White Worm had no
supernatural powers and could not harm them until she discovered their
hiding place. It was agreed, therefore, that the two men should go
together.

When the two men slipped out by the back door of the house, they walked
cautiously along the avenue which trended towards the west. Everything
was pitch dark--so dark that at times they had to feel their way by the
palings and tree-trunks. They could still see, seemingly far in front of
them and high up, the baleful light which at the height and distance
seemed like a faint line. As they were now on the level of the ground,
the light seemed infinitely higher than it had from the top of the tower.
At the sight Adam's heart fell; the danger of the desperate enterprise
which he had undertaken burst upon him. But this feeling was shortly
followed by another which restored him to himself--a fierce loathing, and
a desire to kill, such as he had never experienced before.

They went on for some distance on a level road, fairly wide, from which
the green light was visible. Here Sir Nathaniel spoke softly, placing
his lips to Adam's ear for safety.

"We know nothing whatever of this creature's power of hearing or
smelling, though I presume that both are of no great strength. As to
seeing, we may presume the opposite, but in any case we must try to keep
in the shade behind the tree-trunks. The slightest error would be fatal
to us."

Adam only nodded, in case there should be any chance of the monster
seeing the movement.

After a time that seemed interminable, they emerged from the circling
wood. It was like coming out into sunlight by comparison with the misty
blackness which had been around them. There was light enough to see by,
though not sufficient to distinguish things at a distance. Adam's eyes
sought the green light in the sky. It was still in about the same place,
but its surroundings were more