Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/332

316 Robert eagerly. "You 'll be sorry for your mistake if you don't. It is n't on my account I'm asking it! Hannah will tell you."

"She's gone."

"Gone? Gone where? When did she go?"

"When we came."

"Is her mother here? She 'll tell you," said Robert quickly.

"She's gone, too."

"Then you must let me tell you! It's a good deal more important than you think."

The man evidently was impressed, for turning to his men he bade them remain where they were while he led the prisoner outside the house.

"Now, then," he said curtly when they were in the open air, "what is it?"

"I'm an express, and on my way to Fort Montgomery, and then to the army in the north."

"How do I know that?" inquired the man suspiciously.

"Take off my hat. You'll find a letter inside, and the address on it will show you that I'm telling you the truth."

The man at once removed Robert's hat and discovered the letter within. He gazed at the