Shirley sprang to her feet.
“My gracious!” she exclaimed. “Why didn’t we think of that before? Of course, that is what’s the matter. What shall we do?”
“Be quiet, Shirley,” said her father. “In the first place, we do not know that that is the reason. And in the second place, even if we did there is nothing we could do to-night. And perhaps Mabel’s theory is all wrong. Jimmy is likely to come strolling in any time.”
“I believe Mabel is right,” said Leonard. “From what I have heard this man Jones would stop at nothing. As Jimmy is not here, I’ll volunteer to sleep in the stable to-night.”
“But I cannot permit that,” said Mr. Willing. “You are my guest. I——”
“Nevertheless,” Leonard interrupted, “I am going to sleep there. The chances are that the conspirators will not be active again to-night, but it is always best to be prepared.”
“Well,” said Mr. Willing, “I won’t say no if you insist. I’m sure that I shall rest easier, for if anything should happen that Gabriel could not run in the Derby——”
He broke off. “Thank you,” he added.
“Well,” said Mr. Ashton, later in the evening, as they still waited for some word from Jimmy, “there is no use sitting up all night. We might as well turn in, so we can get busy early in the morning.”
This suggestion was acted upon at once. Young Wolfe, with a lantern, made his way to the stable, where he took up his vigil just outside Gabriel’s stall, for the animal would not allow him to enter. The others went to bed.