Nat never knew how much time had elapsed or how far they had gone, when suddenly he felt his companion tugging at his sleeve. Lifting his head, he became conscious of a warm, yellow glow. Turning, he saw the bright front of an inn, set back a little from the roadside.
“And look!” said the Porcupine, forced to lift his voice, that he might be heard above the roar of the rain. As he spoke, he pointed to a long open shed where a couple of wind-mad lights were dancing. Nat saw a full dozen horses, saddled and bridled and looking as though they had but lately been hard ridden.
The young mountaineer’s face expressed the satisfaction that filled him.
“The inn of which the cobbler spoke,” said he, “and Royce and his companions are inside.”
In a few moments the gray and the chestnut were also beneath the shed; a couple of stable hands took them in charge and began rubbing the rain from their streaming coats.
“And now,” spoke Nat, when he saw that they were being well taken care of, “let us go inside; there is sure to be a good fire in the kitchen where we can dry our clothes.”
But the dwarf shook his big head.
“Go in yourself,” said he. “You may be needed. But I’ll stay here.”
“But you are wet to the skin,” protested Nat.
“I’m used to that, and it will do me no harm.” Nat was about to say something more, but the Porcupine interrupted him. “There may be some of Master Royce’s people who know me,” said he. “And that would bring suspicion, or at least direct attention, upon you. So you see, it is best for me to be outdoors. Another thing,” and a cunning look came into the odd, round face of the speaker, “I’m used to prowling around. I may be of more service out here than you think.”