"I'm terrified when I think of it, Mr. Black. Why did he
go off quite so suddenly? Is there a train he is anxious to reach?
Mr. Sloan, is there a train?"
"Yes, Miss, there is a train."
"Which he can get by riding fast?"
"I've known it done!"
"Then he is excusable." Yet her anxious glance stole ever and
again to the dizzy verge towards which she now unconsciously urged
her own horse till Mr. Black drew her aside.
"There is nothing to fear in that direction," said he. "Oliver's
horse is to be trusted, if not himself. Cheer up, little one,
we'll soon be on more level ground and then for a quick ride and a
speedy end to this suspense."
He was rewarded by a confiding look, after which they all fell
silent.
A half-hour's further descent, then a quick turn and Mr. Sloan,
who had ridden on before them, came galloping hastily back.
"Wait a minute," he admonished them, putting up his hand to
emphasise the appeal.
"Oh, what now?" cried Reuther, but with a rising head instead of a
sinking one.
"We will see," said Mr. Black, hastening to meet their guide.
"What now?" he asked. "Have they come together? Have the
detectives got him?"
"No, not HIM; only his horse. The animal has just trotted up--
riderless."
"Good God! the child's instinct was true. He has been thrown--"
"No." Mr. Sloan's mouth was close to the lawyer's ear. "There is
another explanation. If the fellow is game, and anxious enough to
reach the train to risk his neck for it, there's a path he could
have taken which would get him there without his coming round this
turn.
Pages:
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287