"Now!" he said abruptly.
Pen's arms were suddenly pinned to her sides. As she opened her mouth to protest Delehanty pressed his twisted handkerchief between her teeth. Pen struggled furiously, but it was pulled tight and knotted behind her head.
Delehanty growled to his men: "Get back in your places. She's evidently got a date with him here. He'll be here yet. If you let him slip through your fingers, by Gad! I'll have you all broken."
Pen hearing this, ceased to struggle, and smiled behind the gag. "Well ... let them!" she thought. "It's all to the good!"
Delehanty said to her: "March! young lady!"
Pen, just to keep up appearances, moaned behind the gag, and hung back.
Delehanty pushed her ahead of him in the path. "Get along back to the house with you!" he commanded.
Pen made no further objections.
He accompanied her back to the house. Reaching the porch he took off the gag.
"Thank you," said Pen demurely.