It was only a gale, but as Venters listened, as his ears became accustomed to the fury and strife, out of it all or through it or above it pealed low and perfectly clear and persistently uniform a strange sound that had no counterpart in all the sounds of the elements.

It was not of earth or of life.

It was the grief and agony of the gale.

A knell of all upon which it blew! Black night enfolded the valley.

Venters could not see his companion, and knew of her presence only through the tightening hold of her hand on his arm.