“Come to the house with me,” said Mr. Willing sternly. “There is more to this matter than appears on the surface. How did you happen to be sleeping in the stable?”
“It was Miss Shirley, sir, who first thought that Gabriel might come to harm.”
“And what does she know about this matter?”
“She knows all about it, sir.”
“I’ll wake her now and find out,” declared Mr. Willing.
But there was no need to call Shirley, nor Mabel, either, for that matter. Both girls had heard the sound of the shots, and had immediately arisen from bed and begun to dress. Mabel’s father also had been aroused and now came from the house with them. As Jimmy and Mr. Willing approached, Mr. Ashton called out:
“What’s the matter, Willing?”
Mr. Willing explained in a few quick sentences. Then he turned to his daughter.
“Come to my room,” he said. “I want to ask you some questions.”
Shirley, Mabel, and Mr. Ashton followed Mr. Willing and Jimmy.