"We understand that," was the significant response of a couple of the stockmen.
It was now growing so late that Sterry placed himself near the rear door to watch for the expected signal from Vesey, feeling, as the minutes passed, a nervousness greater than at any time before.
Since no light burned in the house, the only means of determining the hour was by striking a match and holding it in front of a watch. Hope became high when 10 o'clock was at hand.
Sterry half expected, in case everything promised well, that Vesey would manage to give something in the nature of a preliminary signal, but the closest scrutiny showed nothing of the kind.
Capt. Asbury, who maintained his place near one of the front windows, close to the door, suddenly called:
"Come here a moment, Sterry."
The young man stepped hastily across the room.
"You have everything clear in your mind?" was the question which struck the young man as slightly inopportune.
"Yes; as clear as I can have; why do you ask?"
"I wanted to be certain, for your task is a delicate one; we will hold the door ajar a little while after you go, so that if anything happens, such as their recognizing you, you will be able to dash back. You know it won't do for you to be identified."