But, indistinct as it was, it was the voice of the man he was thinking of as far away, and it sent a thrill of alternate awe and pleasure through his pulses.
He glanced quickly around.

The moon was hidden by a passing cloud, and only the faint outlines of the house he had just quitted were visible.
"Is that you, Spence ?" he said tremulously.
"Yes," replied the voice, and a figure dimly emerged from the corner of the corral.
"Lay low, lay low, for God's sake," said Patterson, hurriedly throwing himself upon the apparition.

"The sheriff and his posse are in there." "But I must speak to you a moment," said the figure.
"Wait," said Patterson, glancing towards the building.

Its blank, shutterless windows revealed no inner light; a profound silence encompassed it.

"Come quick," he whispered.