I was in hopes
that I might be spared the long ride up the mountain."
Mr. Black limited his answer to one of his sour smiles.
"Whose horse is this?" came in peremptory demand from the other
man, with a nod towards the animal which could now be seen idly
grazing by the wayside. "And how came it on the road alone?"
"We can only give you these facts," rejoined the lawyer. "It came
from Tempest Lodge. It started out ahead of us with the gentleman
we had gone to visit on its back. We did not pass the gentleman on
the road, and if he has not passed you, he must have left the road
somewhere on foot. He did not go back to the Lodge."
"Mr. Black--"
"I am telling you the absolute truth. Make what you will of it.
His father desires him home; and sent a message. This message this
young lady undertook to deliver, and she did deliver it, with the
consequences I have mentioned. If you doubt me, take your ride. It
is not an easy one, and the only man remaining at the Lodge is
deaf as a post."
"Mr. Black has told the whole story," averred the guide.
They looked at Reuther.
"I have nothing to add," said she. "I have been terrified lest the
gentleman you wish to see was thrown from the horse's back over
the precipice. But perhaps he found some way of getting down on
foot. He is a very strong and daring man."
"The tree!" ejaculated the detective's companion. He was from a
neighbouring locality and remembered this one natural ladder up
the side of the gully.
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