The light vanished;
quick voices rasped out; then stealthy feet padded over the boards.
Allie saw or imagined she saw gliding forms black against the pale
gloom. She was so close to Ancliffe that he touched her as he
worked. Turning, she beheld a ray of light through an aperture he
had made.
Suddenly the gloom split to a reddish flare. It revealed dark forms.
A gun cracked. Allie heard the heavy thud of a bullet against the
wall. Then Hough shot. His derringer made a small, spiteful report.
It was followed by a cry--a groan. Other guns cracked. Bullets
pattered on the wood. Allie heard the spat of lead striking Hough.
It had a sickening sound. He moved as if from a blow. A volley
followed and Allie saw the bright flashes. All about her bullets
were whistling and thudding. She knew with a keen horror every time
Hough was struck. Hoarse yells and strangling cries mixed with the
diminishing shots.
Then Ancliffe grasped her and pushed her through a vent he had made.
Allie crawled backward and she could see Hough still standing in
front. It seemed that he swayed. Then as she rose further her view
was cut off. Although she had not looked around, she was aware of a
dimly lighted storeroom. Outside the shots had ceased. She heard
something heavy fall suddenly; then a patter of quick, light
footsteps.
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