Page:Milady at Arms (1937).pdf/271

 mind. With a simultaneous movement, they slid down from their horses and fled toward the stable-yard.

"Think ye—James will be dead o' starvation?" gasped out Sally, flying along beside Zenas, her eyes wide with horror and remorse.

"Nay—not so—soon!" stammered Zenas. Then, suddenly, he chuckled. "But oh, won't he be mad!"

James may have been angry; but not at that moment, for when they drew the bar and flung open the door to the saddle room, it was empty!

Sally and Zenas stared at each other. "Why, James be gone!" said Sally stupidly. "At least—at least—we know he hath not starved to death! Come," she turned wearily away, "let us back to the horses, Zenas!"

"Why not stop here for supper?" suggested Zenas wistfully.

Sally shook her head. "Nay," she answered firmly, turning with decided steps toward the stable-yard entrance, "your mother would not like it an she knew we had tarried thus near home!"

Zenas, who had been lingering, and casting hungry glances toward the kitchen door of the inn, now straightened his tired shoulders at mention of his mother, as Sally knew he would. "Ye be right," he said hurriedly. "Let us go on! I"

Sally, glancing up in surprise as Zenas's voice,