“Jack Swing! We had notice of him out at Delafield.”
John shook his head, and looked down.
“What! Do you know anything, my boy? Here, come in—tell me!”
“Please, sir, they’ve laid it out to come to Greenhow this very day as is, to break the machine and get the guns and money.”
The captain started, as well he might; but still demanded, “How do you know?”
John held his head down, most unwilling to answer.
“Look here, my lad, you’ve done well coming to warn me; but I must be certain of your news before acting on it. We were to ride off to Delafield to-day, and I must know if this is only a rumour.”
“Aunt heard them,” said John, between his teeth. “She heard them planning it for to-morrow—that’s to-day—and she laid it on me to let you know to save the ladies from being fraught.”
“Your aunt heard it?”
“Through the window in the back garden. They planned to get all the chaps at Downhill and all, and go at the machine.”