“But I should think while you were in the hut you could have snooped around and found out what sort of place it was,” said Amy.
“If you can tell me how a fellow can be expected to snoop around with his hands and feet tied and a gag in his mouth you are a better man than I am, sweet sis,” Darry retorted. “Beside, there were two rooms in the hut, and the one I was in was as dark as pitch. I defy an owl to see in such a light. It was an age, I lay there gagged and bound.”
“Throw another log on that fire, will you, Fol?” asked Nell, for the fire in the grate had died down to a flicker. “All this talk about counterfeiters and ghosts and things makes me long for the cheer of a hearty blaze.”
“Darry, please go on,” urged Jessie. “What happened when the alarm of fire reached the hut?”
“There was a general stampede to get away from there as soon as possible,” replied Darry. “I thought they had forgotten me for a while, and I don’t mind telling you that I never remember spending a more uncomfortable few minutes. Even being the victim of a band of criminals seemed a more pleasant prospect than being left, bound hand and foot, to the mercy of a forest fire. A red glow began to filter in through the small window near the roof of the hut and I could smell the smoke. After a while I could even hear the crackling of timber——”
“Darry, how dreadful!” cried Jessie. “With your hands and feet tied I suppose there was no chance for you to help yourself.”
“I had loosened the bonds on my hands by that time,” Darry explained. “But my feet were crossed and tied in such a way that I was absolutely helpless. I could have rolled to the door of the hut, and that was what I had started to do when I heard a sound outside and lay still. A moment later a man came in and unbound my feet. Even then it was all I could do to stand.” He paused for a moment and grimaced reminiscently.
“If I live to be a hundred I shall never forget the pain in my legs and feet. I stumbled, and if the ruffian had not grabbed me I would have gone flat on my face.
“After that you know nearly all there is to tell,” he went on, glancing around at the intent faces. “I found myself in a group of my select friends, and they all seemed to be in the grip of a helpless terror. When I made a dash for my freedom—having recovered the use of my feet—it was an easy matter to get away from them. They seemed hardly to notice what I was doing.”
“But, good gracious, they may come after you again, Darry!” exclaimed Nell, as she glanced apprehensively at the closed door and at the window outside which the rain still fell steadily. “How do we know they may not be hanging around the house now, lying in wait for you!”