Varney the Vampire | Page 9

to nerve again Mr. Marchdale, and he, as well as the two young
men, ran forward towards the wall. They got so close to the figure
before it sprang down on the outer side of the wall, that to miss killing
it with the bullet from the pistol was a matter of utter impossibility,
unless wilfully.
Henry had the weapon, and he pointed it full at the tall form with a
steady aim. He pulled the trigger--the explosion followed, and that the
bullet did its office there could be no manner of doubt, for the figure
gave a howling shriek, and fell headlong from the wall on the outside.
"I have shot him," cried Henry, "I have shot him."


CHAPTER III
.
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE BODY.--FLORA'S RECOVERY
AND MADNESS.--THE OFFER OF ASSISTANCE FROM SIR
FRANCIS VARNEY.
[Illustration]
"He is human!" cried Henry; "I have surely killed him."
"It would seem so," said Mr. Marchdale. "Let us now hurry round to
the outside of the wall, and see where he lies."
This was at once agreed to, and the whole three of them made what
expedition they could towards a gate which led into a paddock, across
which they hurried, and soon found themselves clear of the garden wall,
so that they could make way towards where they fully expected to find
the body of him who had worn so unearthly an aspect, but who it would
be an excessive relief to find was human.

So hurried was the progress they made, that it was scarcely possible to
exchange many words as they went; a kind of breathless anxiety was
upon them, and in the speed they disregarded every obstacle, which
would, at any other time, have probably prevented them from taking
the direct road they sought.
It was difficult on the outside of the wall to say exactly which was the
precise spot which it might be supposed the body had fallen on; but, by
following the wall in its entire length, surely they would come upon it.
They did so; but, to their surprise, they got from its commencement to
its further extremity without finding any dead body, or even any
symptoms of one having lain there.
At some parts close to the wall there grew a kind of heath, and,
consequently, the traces of blood would be lost among it, if it so
happened that at the precise spot at which the strange being had seemed
to topple over, such vegetation had existed. This was to be ascertained;
but now, after traversing the whole length of the wall twice, they came
to a halt, and looked wonderingly in each other's faces.
"There is nothing here," said Harry.
"Nothing," added his brother.
"It could not have been a delusion," at length said Mr. Marchdale, with
a shudder.
"A delusion?" exclaimed the brother! "That is not possible; we all saw
it."
"Then what terrible explanation can we give?"
"By heavens! I know not," exclaimed Henry. "This adventure surpasses
all belief, and but for the great interest we have in it, I should regard it
with a world of curiosity."
"It is too dreadful," said George; "for God's sake, Henry, let us return to
ascertain if poor Flora is killed."
"My senses," said Henry, "were all so much absorbed in gazing at that
horrible form, that I never once looked towards her further than to see
that she was, to appearance, dead. God help her! poor--poor, beautiful
Flora. This is, indeed, a sad, sad fate for you to come to. Flora--Flora--"
"Do not weep, Henry," said George. "Rather let us now hasten home,
where we may find that tears are premature. She may yet be living and
restored to us."
"And," said Mr. Marchdale, "she may be able to give us some account

of this dreadful visitation."
"True--true," exclaimed Henry; "we will hasten home."
They now turned their steps homeward, and as they went they much
blamed themselves for all leaving home together, and with terror
pictured what might occur in their absence to those who were now
totally unprotected.
"It was a rash impulse of us all to come in pursuit of this dreadful
figure," remarked Mr. Marchdale; "but do not torment yourself, Henry.
There may be no reason for your fears."
At the pace they went, they very soon reached the ancient house, and
when they came in sight of it, they saw lights flashing from the
windows, and the shadows of faces moving to and fro, indicating that
the whole household was up, and in a state of alarm.
Henry, after some trouble, got the hall door opened by a terrified
servant, who was trembling so much that she could scarcely hold the
light she had with her.
"Speak at once, Martha," said Henry. "Is Flora living?"