Lying with his back to the pillows he looked out into the starlight, watching for the first glow of the moon and listening again to the owls that had nested in the lightning-shriven tree.

An hour later he resumed his exercise.
He was on his feet when through his window he heard the sound of approaching voices and then of running feet.

A moment later some one was pounding at a door, and a loud voice shouted for Doctor Cardigan.
Kent drew cautiously nearer the window.

The moon had risen, and he saw figures approaching, slowly, as if weighted under a burden.

Before they turned out of his vision, he made out two men bearing some heavy object between them.