Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/297

Rh At last he arrived at a spot from which he could see before him the ruins of Jacob Gunning's recent home. The smoke was still rising, and even the flames had not entirely died away; but as he approached a new fear arose in his mind that the landlord might already have departed from his ruined home and taken Nero with him.

The fear was speedily relieved, however, when he perceived a man moving about near the smouldering ruins of the barn, and in the dim light Robert recognized him as Jacob himself. Beginning to run, he called out, "Jacob, is that you?"

Apparently no heed was given to his hail, for the man did not even glance toward him. It was strange, Robert thought, but a second look confirmed his conviction that it was indeed Jacob who was wandering about the place, and, hastily approaching him, Robert said as he halted before him,—

"What are you doing, Jacob? Looking for something that was lost?"

The man lifted his head for a moment, gazed at Robert, and then without a word dropped it again and resumed his silent walk.

"Jacob! Jacob!" exclaimed Robert, "what's wrong? What are you doing?"