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scarcely human in the white light： and then we broke into a hand
canter just as the hounds dashed； in a compact body； along the
trail。
〃But we had not gone more than a few hundred yards before they
began to falter； then straggled； stopped and ran back and about
with dismal cries。 It was clear to me they had lost the scent。 My
companion reined in his horse； and mine； luckily a well…trained
brute； halted of himself。
〃We had reached a bend in a broad avenue of firs and larches； and
just where we stood； and where the hounds ever returned and met
nose to nose in frantic conclave； the snow was trampled and soiled；
and a little farther on planed in a great sweep； as if by a turning
sleigh。 Beyond was a double…furrowed track of skaits and regular
hoof prints leading far away。
〃Before I had time to reflect upon the bearing of this unexpected
interruption； Kossowski； as if suddenly possessed by a devil； fell
upon the hounds with his whip； flogging them upon the new track；
uttering the while the most savage cries I have ever heard issue
from human throat。 The disappointed beasts were nothing loath to
seize upon another trail； after a second of hesitation they had
understood； and were off upon it at a tearing pace； we after them
at the best speed of our horses。
〃Some unformed idea that we were going to escort； or rescue；
benighted travelers flickered dimly in my mind as I galloped
through the night air； but when I managed to approach my companion
and called out to him for explanation； he only turned half round
and grinned at me。
〃Before us lay now the white plain； scintillating under the high
moon's rays。 That light is deceptive； I could be sure of nothing
upon the wide expanse but of the dark； leaping figures of the
hounds already spread out in a straggling line； some right ahead；
others just in front of us。 In a short time also the icy wind；
cutting my face mercilessly as we increased our pace； well nigh
blinded me with tears of cold。
〃I can hardly realize how long this pursuit after an unseen prey
lasted； I can only remember that I was getting rather faint with
fatigue； and ignominiously held on to my pommel； when all of a
sudden the black outline of a sleigh merged into sight in front of
us。
〃I rubbed my smarting eyes with my benumbed hand； we were gaining
upon it second by second； two of those hell hounds of the baron's
were already within a few leaps of it。
〃Soon I was able to make out two figures； one standing up and
urging the horses on with whip and voice； the other clinging to the
back seat and looking toward us in an attitude of terror。 A great
fear crept into my half…frozen brainwere we not bringing deadly
danger instead of help to these travelers？ Great God！ did the
baron mean to use them as a bait for his new method of wolf
hunting？
〃I would have turned upon Kossowski with a cry of expostulation or
warning； but he； urging on his hounds as he galloped on their
flank； howling and gesticulating like a veritable Hun； passed me by
like a flashand all at once I knew。〃
Marshfield paused for a moment and sent his pale smile round upon
his listeners； who now showed no signs of sleepiness； he knocked
the ash from his cigar； twisted the latter round in his mouth； and
added dryly：
〃And I confess it seemed to me a little strong even for a baron in
the Carpathians。 The travelers were our quarry。 But the reason
why the Lord of Yany had turned man…hunter I was yet to learn。
Just then I had to direct my energies to frustrating his plans。 I
used my spurs mercilessly。 While I drew up even with him I saw the
two figures in the sleigh change places； he who had hitherto driven
now faced back； while his companion took the reins； there was the
pale blue sheen of a revolver barrel under the moonlight； followed
by a yellow flash； and the nearest hound rolled over in the snow。
〃With an oath the baron twisted round in his saddle to call up and
urge on the remainder。 My horse had taken fright at the report and
dashed irresistibly forward； bringing me at once almost level with
the fugitives； and the next instant the revolver was turned
menacingly toward me。 There was no time to explain； my pistol was
already drawn； and as another of the brutes bounded up； almost
under my horse's feet； I loosed it upon him。 I must have let off
both barrels at once； for the weapon flew out of my hand； but the
hound's back was broken。 I presume the traveler understood； at any
rate； he did not fire at me。
〃In moments of intense excitement like these； strangely enough； the
mind is extraordinarily open to impressions。 I shall never forget
that man's countenance in the sledge； as he stood upright and
defied us in his mortal danger； it was young； very handsome； the
features not distorted； but set into a sort of desperate； stony
calm； and I knew it； beyond all doubt； for that of an Englishman。
And then I saw his companionit was the baron's wife。 And I
understood why the bells had been removed。
〃It takes a long time to say this； it only required an instant to
see it。 The loud explosion of my pistol had hardly ceased to ring
before the baron； with a fearful imprecation； was upon me。 First
he lashed at me with his whip as we tore along side by side； and
then I saw him wind the reins round his off arm and bend over； and
I felt his angry fingers close tightly on my right foot。 The next
instant I should have been lifted out of my saddle； but there came
another shot from the sledge。 The baron's horse plunged and
stumbled； and the baron； hanging on to my foot with a fierce grip；
was wrenched from his seat。 His horse； however； was up again
immediately； and I was released； and then I caught a confused
glimpse of the frightened and wounded animal galloping wildly away
to the right； leaving a black track of blood behind him in the
snow； his master； entangled in the reins； running with incredible
swiftness by his side and endeavoring to vault back into the
saddle。
〃And now came to pass a terrible thing which； in his savage plans；
my host had doubtless never anticipated。
〃One of the hounds that had during this short check recovered lost
ground； coming across this hot trail of blood； turned away from his
course； and with a joyous yell darted after the running man。 In
another instant the remainder of the pack was upon the new scent。
〃As soon as I could stop my horse； I tried to turn him in the
direction the new chase had taken； but just then； through the night
air； over the receding sound of the horse's scamper and the sobbing
of the pack in full cry； there came a long scream； and after that a
sickening silence。 And I knew that somewhere yonder； under the
beautiful moonlight； the Baron Kossowski was being devoured by his
starving dogs。
〃I looked round； with the sweat on my face； vaguely； for some human
being to share the horror of the moment； and I saw； gliding away；