He urged the willing beast to his utmost speed, for he was as much at home in the saddle as he was in the rigging of a ship.

Before the Vampire had made another eighth of a mile, he had reached the place where the boat had been left for his use.

What to do with his horse was a question, for the report of the big gun would set him crazy.

But he knew that the men must be at the house, and he turned the animal loose, satisfied that he would go to the stable without any guidance.
Springing into the boat, he pulled to the Bellevite.

At the accommodation steps, he was challenged by Sampson, who demanded like one in authority who and what he was, for the experience of the evening had greatly sharpened his wits.
"Who is it ?" he demanded, in a tone which implied his intention to have a satisfactory answer.