For the second time that evening the wolf stood up on the hearth, but he
was not yet on his feet before Dan was out of his chair and standing close
to the wall, where the shadows swallowed him. Lee Haines sat with his lips
frozen on the next unspoken word. Two shadows, whose feet made no sound,
Black Bart and Dan glided to the door and peered into the night--then
Barry went back, step by step, until his back was once more to the wall.
Not until that instant did the others hear. It was a step which approached
behind the house; a loud rap at the back door.
It was the very loudness of the knock which made Kate draw a breath of
relief; if it had been a stealthy tap she would have screamed. He who
rapped did not wait for an answer; they heard the door creak open, the
sound of a heavy man's step.
"It's Vic," said Dan quietly, and then the door opened which led into the
kitchen and the tall form of Gregg entered. He paused there.
"Here I am again, ma'am."
"Good evening," she answered faintly.
He cleared his throat, embarrassed.
"Darned if I didn't play a fool game today--hello, Dan.
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