the first to note a shadow fall athwart the
doorway. Her eyes widened with fear to behold an odd, black, winged
shape hover an instant on the threshold, then flit noiselessly into the
room. It did not advance on the group collected in one corner of the
room. It lurched and dipped toward the windows like a huge sable hawk
about to swoop down on a chicken yard.

CHAPTER XXIII.

APPARITION OF THE NIGHT.

"A-h-h-h!" gasped the startled watcher, pointing in horror.

"Wh-h-s-s-ss!" The gruesome apparition uttered a sighing, hissing sound
which increased in a weird, half-muffled whistle. Simultaneous with the
whistle it darted to the nearest candle, extinguishing it with one
whining "Puf-f-f!" With horrid grotesquerie it flapped toward another
candle, bent on putting it out.

The hood of the voluminous soft black cape which Ronny was wearing was
slightly frilled. She had cunningly adjusted it so as to give her masked
features an entirely different effect from that of an ordinary domino
and mask. A moment's calm inspection would have assured the hazing party
that the uncanny visitant was as human as themselves. Her spectacular
entrance coupled with the one domino's fear-stricken alarm, had produced
upon the hazers the precise effect Ronny had expected to produce. Too
greatly startled to take action, a wild, long-drawn, piercing wailing
next set in which was not quieting to the nerves. Nor had it ceased when
a second eerie voice took it up in a higher key.

By the dim flare of the one remaining lighted candle, the flapping,
swaying shape and its hideous moaning whistle became invested with fresh
dread, augmented as it was by that volume of ear-piercing echoing sound.
Suddenly the last candle winked out, leaving the dismayed avengers in
Stygian darkness. Their sharp cries and frightened exclamations were
summarily drowned, however, by a new pandemonium of blood-curdling
shrieks and groans which proceeded from the hall. Through the half open
door leading into the hall came a menacing shuffle as of countless
approaching feet. It was the final touch needed to demoralize the
hazers. Forgetful of the two front windows, they bolted with one accord
for the door opening into the hall, as nearly as each could locate it in
the dark. Had a real enemy been present the hazers would have run
straight into the arms of the hostile force. Their one idea was to get
out of the house with all speed. As it was they showed a temerity bo