she was she nimbly stepped
out of my way, and pointed to the five-pronged rock.

"The light es gone, and Maaster Roger's hope es gone, unless he do come
to Betsy Fraddam's cave at midnight, and there 'ee'll zee strange
things."

"You'll suffer for this, Deborah," I said, almost beside myself.

"Zee where you're standin'," she screamed, "and think of what you zeed
three years agone, when you went to see the passen."

I looked, and, to my horror, I remembered that long years before I had
on this very spot seen a figure in white, which had disappeared on the
edge of the cliff.

I was so astonished that for a minute I did not move, and when I
recovered my senses Deborah had gone, although I thought I heard her
croaking, mocking laugh a little distance away.

"The old woman is mad, Roger," said Ruth; "let us go home quickly."

I was nothing loth. I hurried on as though the furies were behind me,
while Ruth was evidently as anxious as I to get indoors.

We had entered the old postern door, and were walking up the drive
leading to the house, when a servant met me.

"Mr. Roger," he said, anxiously, "you must please come in at once."

"Why, is anything the matter?"

"Yes, your father has fallen off his horse and is badly hurt."

A great dread laid hold of me, but I hurried towards his room.

CHAPTER X

THE GATHERING DARKNESS

As I made my way along the dim corridors, fear gripped me. The weird
form I had seen between the prongs of the "Devil's Tooth" had told me
of darkness to come. This accident to my father was the fulfilment of
the omen. Arrived at the door of my father's bedroom I heard muffled
voices within; but no sooner was my arrival known than I was
immediately admitted. I found my father propped up in the bed by
pillows. There was a ghastly cut upon his face, and his hair was
clotted with blood. Evidently, too, he was suffering great pain, and
he breathed with difficulty.

No sooner did he see me than he beckoned me to approach. Although I
did not notice them at the time, I found out afterwards that my mother
was there, and Mr. Polperrow, the vicar, together with Mr. Inch and the
family doctor.

"Roger!" said my father, hoarsely.

"Yes, father," I said, coming up and kneeling by his bedside.

My presence seemed to soothe him, for he gave evidence of less
suffering, and a look of peace stole over his face.

He laid his right hand upon my head fondly. "My eldest-born boy," he
said