Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/282



to go with us," said the lieutenant to Robert. "Will you come along as you ought to, or shall I tie your hands?"

"You need n't tie my hands," replied Robert. "There are enough of you to look after me and I'm not armed, for they have n't left me anything to fight with except these," and as he spoke he held his hands up before him.

"You look as if you might be able to make good use of them if occasion required," replied the officer good-naturedly. "We 'll chance that, though. We must go on, for we can't do anything more here."

For a moment he paused and looked about him, and Robert almost unconsciously followed his example. The tavern had fallen, though from its ruins the flames were still rising, and a cloud of smoke was borne away by the light wind that was blowing. The rude little barn was a mass of blazing fire, and it was evident that nothing could be done to