It is covered with a lattice work and huge vines.
I can shin up like a squirrel and go through her room to the--"
"Are you crazy, Sprouse?"
"I am the sanest person you've ever met, Mr. Barnes. The chance we
take is that she may not be alone in the room. But, nothing risked,
nothing gained."
"You take your life in your hands and--"
"Don't worry about that, my lad."
"--and you also place Miss Cameron in even graver peril than--"
"See here," said Sprouse shortly, "I am not risking my life for the
fun of the thing. I am risking it for her, bear that in mind,--for her
and her people. And if I am killed, they won't even say 'Well-done,
good and faithful servant.' So, let's not argue the point. Are you
going to stand by me or--back out?"
Barnes was shamed. "I'll stand by you," he said, and they stole
forward.
The utmost caution was observed in the approach to the house through
the thin, winding paths that Barnes remembered from an earlier visit.
They crept on all fours over the last fifty feet that intervened, and
each held a revolver in readiness for a surprise attack.
There were no lights visible. The house was even darker than the night
itself; it was vaguely outlined by a deeper shade of black.
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