The count was not thoroughly awake until he found himself in the saddle some time later; it is certain that he did not know until long afterward why they were riding off into the storm. He fell so far behind his companions in the run down the road that he could ask no questions. Right bravely the trio plunged into the dark territory over which the enemy ruled. It was the duke who finally brought the cavalcade to a halt by propounding a most sensible question.
“Are you sure she came this way, Cecil?”
“Certainly. This is Shaw's way, is n't it?”
“Did she say she was going to Shaw's?”
“Don't know. Evelyn told me. Hang it all, Barminster, come along. We'll never catch up to her.”
“Is she riding?”
“No—horses all in.”
“Do you know, we may have passed her. Deuce take it, Bazelhurst, if she's running away from us, you don't imagine she'd be such a silly fool as to stand in the road and wait for us. If she heard us she'd hide among the trees.”