They came stealthily, yet
quickly; with caution, but without pause or hesitation. Rudolf,
scenting danger, flattened himself close against the wall and
felt for his revolver. Very likely they were only early workers
or late revelers, but he was ready for something else; he had not
yet sighted Bauer, and action was to be looked for from the man.
By infinitely gradual sidelong slitherings he moved a few paces
from the door of Mother Holf's house, and stood six feet perhaps,
or eight, on the right-hand side of it. The three came on. He
strained his eyes in the effort to discern their features. In
that dim light certainty was impossible, but the one in the
middle might well be Bauer: the height, the walk, and the make
were much what Bauer's were. If it were Bauer, then Bauer had
friends, and Bauer and his friends seemed to be stalking some
game. Always most carefully and gradually Rudolf edged yet
farther from the little shop. At a distance of some five yards he
halted finally, drew out his revolver, covered the man whom he
took to be Bauer, and thus waited his fortune and his chance.
Now, it was plain that Bauer--for Bauer it was--would look for
one of two things: what he hoped was to find Rudolf still in the
house, what he feared was to be told that Rudolf, having
fulfilled the unknown purpose of his visit, was gone whole and
sound.
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