In an instant he was down beside her, his arms about her. "He isn't dead?" he whispered fearfully.
Mrs. Hollis shook her head. "He hasn't moved an inch or spoken since we put him on the bed. Are you going with the men?"
"I'm going to town now," said Sandy, evasively.
She rose and caught him by the arm. Her eyes were fierce with vindictiveness.
"Don't let them stop till they've caught
him, Sandy. I hope they will hang him to-night!"
A movement in the sick-room called her within, and Sandy hurried out to the buggy, which was still standing at the gate.
He lighted the lantern and, throwing the robe across his knees, started for town. The intense emotional strain under which he had labored since noon, together with fatigue, was beginning to play tricks with his nerves. Twice he pulled in his horse, thinking he heard voices in the wood. The third time he stopped and got out. At infrequent intervals a groan broke the stillness.
He climbed the snake-fence and beat about among the bushes. The groan came again, and he followed the sound.
At the foot of a tall beech-tree a body was lying face downward. He held his lantern above his head and bent over it. It was a man, and, as he tried to turn him over, he saw a slight red stain on the snow beneath his mouth. The figure, thus roused, stirred and tried to sit up. As he did so, the light