He ran back at once, and as he ran he heard a second scream.

He saw no one, but he heard a rustling and cracking in the bushes as though a fugitive plunged through.
He fired in the direction of the noise and then ran with all speed to the spot.

He found no one, but the bushes were broken.
Ralston went back into the house and knocked at Mrs.Oliver's door.

The maid opened it.
"How is Mrs.Oliver ?" he asked, and he heard Violet herself reply faintly from the room: "I am better, thank you.

I was a little frightened, that's all." "No wonder," said Ralston, and he spoke again to the maid.