Angels and Women (1924)

GREATER CHANGE 121
swept suddenly through the chamber. Was
I dreaming?
I opened wide my eyes and perceived with
horror that a large panel in the opposite wall
moved inward, and the shaggy head of the
abhorred Eldero peered through it. In an
instant be seized me with giant grip, enveloped
my head in the bed-covering, and
darted through the open wall, down an unfamiliar
corridor, toward a staircase which
I knew must lead to the vaults below.
Whirled rapidly along, helpless in an iron
clutch, I struggled in vain to make audible
my smothered screams; for deeds of violence
and cries of despair produced no impression
upon dull sleepers well accustomed to such
sounds. No curious eye looked forth from
the silent dormitories; no vigilant watchman
raised his hand to interfere, as the Darvand
fled swiftly down the darkened hall to the
steep and fatal descent.
But just as I felt myself lowered, an astral
light filled the air, the arms of Eldero were