Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/44

28 the man was gone. A low open window was in one end of the room, and running to it Robert peered out at the ground below him. It was not more than eight or nine feet from the window to the ground, and the stranger might easily have departed from the house by dropping from the opening.

Convinced that Russell had disappeared in this manner, Robert instantly followed his example; and as soon as he felt the grass beneath his feet he ran swiftly to the little barn, and, flinging open the door, peered eagerly within. His worst fears were confirmed, for his horse was no longer there. For a moment he stood stupidly staring at the stall where a few moments before he had left Nero to enjoy his well-earned rest; but he was roused from his lethargy by the approach of the young Dutchman.

"He's stolen my horse, Dirck! The rascal has got away with Nero!"

"Yes, it was so," replied Dirck, gazing quietly into the empty stall.

"The villain! I wish I had him here. I'd break the Tory's neck!" exclaimed Robert, now almost beside himself with anger.

"But here he was not."

"I can get him! I must get him! I know