"Hush!" said a warning whisper, and the speaker nodded toward the crouching figure. "Her brother, most like," he added, in a whisper. "He's took all aback, poor fellow."
There was silence again, then they commenced to talk once more, and still Austin Ambrose sat still and motionless.
Suddenly the door was flung open, and a short, active-looking man dashed in.
"Why, Farmer James!" cried one of two, "what's amiss, man?"
"Give me time!" panted the farmer. "It's a night o' bad news, boys! The colt's come home—without him!"
The men sprung to their feet, and looked at the speaker aghast.
"Without the gentleman, farmer?"
"Ay," he said solemnly, wiping the perspiration from his face. "I met the colt tearing down the road to the stable with the saddle empty. A lantern, missis, quick. Who'll lend a hand, boys?"
One and all turned out and proceeded at something between a trot and a run into the road.
At a little distance the colt stood, wet and trembling, held by a boy. They paused a moment to stare at it and then passed on.