"But don't they know already?"
"Not they; trust us for that! Why, even Mrs. Duncan has no idea why he's gone. But we shall have him back this time to-morrow, never you fear, Miss Bethune!"
"How far is it to the police-barracks, Mr. Ives?"
"Well, it's fourteen miles to our boundary, and that's not quite half-way."
"Then they won't be there before midnight. Is it the way we went this morning, Mr. Ives?"
"Yes; he's going over the same ground, poor chap, in different company. But he'll come galloping back to-morrow, you take my word for it!"
Ives leant with folded arms upon the restored rail. The animals already turned out hugged the horse-yard fence wistfully. The lucky remnant were licking the last grains of chaff from the bin. Moya drew nearer to the rail.
"Miss Bethune?"
"Would you do a favour for me?"