"Barnes!" he whispered. "Barnes!"
Something stirred in the darkness. A small circular window at the end of
the passage just softened the blackness and revealed the dim outlines of
a motionless figure. Meagle, in place of advancing, stood almost as
still as a sudden horrible doubt took possession of him. With his eyes
fixed on the shape in front he fell back slowly and, as it advanced upon
him, burst into a terrible cry.
"Barnes! For God's sake! Is it you?"
The echoes of his voice left the air quivering, but the figure before him
paid no heed. For a moment he tried to brace his courage up to endure
its approach, then with a smothered cry he turned and fled.
The passages wound like a maze, and he threaded them blindly in a vain
search for the stairs. If he could get down and open the hall door----
He caught his breath in a sob; the steps had begun again. At a lumbering
trot they clattered up and down the bare passages, in and out, up and
down, as though in search of him. He stood appalled, and then as they
drew near entered a small room and stood behind the door as they rushed
by.
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