“You are not otherwise hurt?” begged Grace.
“No,” answered Emma.
“Now, woman, if you do not mind explaining the meaning of this high-handed affair, I am quite ready to listen,” announced Grace Harlowe evenly, at the same time facing her captor, whose face she had not yet been able to see in the darkness.
“Shut up!” ordered the man. “We got to git out of here on the jump. Belle, you rustle her along, an’ if she gits balky, hit her a clip over the haid. You owe her one anyhow.”
“I demand that you release us both instantly!” answered Grace.
Without replying, the woman roughly grasped Grace by an arm and propelled her along at a swift pace, Grace stumbling over nearly every step of the way, until they came up with two men who were guarding several horses. At this juncture, the man addressed as “Bud” came hurrying up to them, leading Emma Dean. Her hands, also, were securely bound behind her, and Emma was abusing and threatening her conductor at every step of the way.
“Oh, Grace!” she cried plaintively when she was halted close by her friend.
“Keep quiet, Emma, please,” warned Grace. “Are your hands tied?”
“Yes. The brutes tied the rope so tight that it hurts awfully.”
“If we untie your hands will you promise not to try to get away?” questioned Belle, addressing both girls.