Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/167

 151 the road an' git ter the corner ahead o' 'em. They can't go no other way."

I caught a glimpse of the two as they crossed the lower hall hurriedly. The lamp flickered in the draft of the opened door, and one fellow swore roughly, as he stumbled over some obstacle. Then the door closed, and the flame steadied. In the silence we could hear again the beating of rain on the roof over head.

"Who do you suppose they could have seen?" she asked.

"Shadows likely enough. Let them hunt. We know now the house is deserted, and can find more comfortable quarters—perhaps even slip away before anyone returns. You will go with me?"

"Of course; I am not afraid of Tom Wyatt."

"You were once, young lady—down by the old mill."

She laughed, as if the suddenly revived memory had driven the seriousness of the present situation from mind.

"When I thought you an Indian? Oh, I have entirely recovered from that fear. I am even going to confess I liked you then."

"Good! and now?"

"That is my secret, sir. Is it not enough to compel me to companion with a rebel spy, without