If you open that
window with a light in the room, the wrong lot may get in and barricade
themselves against Don and his bunch--to say nothing of what would happen
to us. But----"
Annesley waited for no more. She ran to the table and blew out the flame
of the green-shaded lamp. Black darkness shut down like the lid of a box.
But she knew the room as she knew her own features. Straight and
unerring, she found her way back to the window.
This time Van Vreck stood still while she opened it and began noiselessly
to undo the outside wooden shutters. As she pushed them apart, against
the wind, a spray of sand dashed into her face and Van Vreck's, stinging
their eyelids. But disregarding the pain, the two passed out into the
night.
Clouds of blowing sand hid the stars, yet there was a faint glimmer of
light which showed moving figures on horseback. Men were shouting, and
with the bark of their guns fire spouted.
Annesley rushed on to the veranda, but Van Vreck caught her dress.
"Stay where you are!" he ordered. "Our side is winning. Don't you
see--don't you hear--the fight's going farther away? That means the
raid's failed--the skunks have got the worst of it.
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