The morning after the interview between Hunston and the widow of Mathias, that woman was missing from the camp.
No one doubted that she had gone on her errand of vengeance, for Hunston had told Toro and one or two others of her threats against the Harkaways; but the question was how and when she did so?
No one knew.
The sentinels who all night long had guarded each known path leading to or from the bivouac were questioned, but neither of them had seen her depart.
Toro was rather annoyed at this; not that he had any great objection to her slaughtering the whole of the Harkaway family, although he certainly would prefer to perform that task himself. But he could not help thinking that a secret path might admit foes, as well as permit the exit of friends.
However, we must leave Toro to his reflections, and follow the brigand's widow.
It was between one and two in the morning when she quitted the bivouac without being observed, and walked slowly towards the town where the Harkaways were located.
There was no occasion for hurry.
At that hour of the morning she could not hope to gain admittance to the house where her foes were located.
A day must pass, and evening come again, before any thing could be done.