Tom glanced at his watch.

“Midnight!” he exclaimed.  “Would you believe it?  We must have all been asleep.”

“And you promised not to shut an eye?” accused Tavia.  “How do we know but that we are all kidnapped?”

Just then Nat grasped Tom’s arm.

“The light!” he whispered.

“Oh!”

Dorothy and Tavia had both seen it.

Too frightened to speak, they clung to each other and stood terrified.  Tom and Nat stepped farther out into the hallway.

For an instant no one uttered a sound.  The next a noise—­distinct and welcome—­fell upon their ears—­the sound of Major Dale’s voice.

“It’s father!” called Dorothy, breaking away from Tavia.  “Oh, they’ve found us!  Let them in!  Quick!”

No need to tell the boys that, for the front door was unbolted, and Major Dale rushed in before any of them could actually realize that he had come.

“Oh, father!” gasped Dorothy, falling into his arms.  “If you had not come—­I should have died!”

“You poor foolish—­babies!” he said.  “But let the man in.  He’s frozen, if I am not.”

Tavia had her arms around the major’s neck—­he was patting both girls affectionately.

“There! there!” he soothed.  “Now you are all right.  Dad’s here, and we will be all right presently.  Norah sent out the relief stuff—­you be starved and perished.”

“He won’t come in,” called Nat, referring to the man outside, “Says he’s afraid.”

“Oh, the foolish fellow,” replied the major.  “I had the greatest time to get him here, once he found out I was coming to the castle.  He vowed he saw lights, and heard screams.  He’s the fellow who drove the woman out here—­Abe, you know.”

“Oh, yes,” said Nat.  “That’s it.  Well, if he won’t come in he’ll freeze.”

“Perhaps if he sees girls—­ I’ll go and ask him,” volunteered Dorothy, now somewhat composed.

Although they had passed from the rear hall to the front, Tom kept his eye on the end of the long passageway.  He had seen a light flash back there—­he could have sworn to it.

“Here he is!” called Dorothy.  “I knew old Abe would come in when I asked him.  Right over here, Abe.  See, we have plenty of light—­”

As if by magic, or some uncanny power, no sooner had she uttered the word “light” than a brilliant flash was plainly seen at the rear of the hall.

The next moment a piercing scream rang out—­the same they had heard once before—­only so much more terrible to them now—­so hideous—­so fiendish!

The old colored man tried to move, but he stood as if transfixed.

Major Dale was major again, there ready to order, to command—­erect, brave, bold, defiant.

Nat never seemed to move.

Tom stood waiting for his orders.

Dorothy and Tavia fell back terrified.

“That scream came from a human being,” spoke the major finally.  “We must investigate at once.  Here, Abe, you take this lamp.”  Trembling as if he had the ague, the old colored man took the lamp from the mantel.  “Tom, you have an ax.  Nat, your gun may be handy.  Now, girls, don’t be alarmed.  We are too many for any one here.  Just sit there in that corner while we look about.”