The inspiration vanished like a mist.

The de Profundis had ceased to ring.
He hurried on across the Los Muertos ranch, almost running, even putting his hands over his ears till he was out of hearing distance of that all but human distress.

Not until he was beyond ear-shot did he pause, looking back, listening.

The night had shut down again.

For a moment the silence was profound, unbroken.
Then, faint and prolonged, across the levels of the ranch, he heard the engine whistling for Bonneville.