Instead, he glimpsed it farther on, and gave chase, taking what precautions he could against betraying himself.

Through the grove and the gate and across the road he followed, in doubt half the time whether it was worth the trouble.
Still, if it was what he suspected, a lesson taught now would probably insure against future disturbances of the sort, he thought, and kept stubbornly on.

Once more he heard the dismal cry, and fancied it held a mocking note.
"I'll settle that mighty quick," he promised grimly, as he jumped a ditch and ran toward the place.
Somewhere among the currant bushes was a sound of eery laughter.

He swerved toward the place, saw a white form rise suddenly from the very ground, as it seemed, and lift an arm with a slow, beckoning gesture.
Without taking aim, he raised his gun and fired a shot at it.

The arm dropped rather suddenly, and the white form vanished.