"Jack or Rosalind, or any of them," came in quivering tones.
"Why, what have you done that is so terrible? I thought quarrels were unknown in the Forest."
Katherine shook her head. "It wasn't a quarrel. I was afraid because it was dark,—and Jack said I was a coward. He told Maurice and Miss Celia so." The confession ended in more tears.
Patiently Allan questioned and listened until he had a fairly clear idea of the situation. Then he spoke with cheerfulness.
"You all ought to be dealt with for getting into such mischief," he said. "And now don't cry any more. Many a soldier has run away from his first battle-field. If I were you, I'd own up I had been a coward and say I was sorry. Do you want to come back with me, and see the end of this adventure?"
Greatly comforted, Katherine dried her eyes and decided to go with Mr. Whittredge. Jack might not be so hard on her when he saw her under such protection.
By this time Jack had found Morgan and brought him to the Gilpin house, where Celia and Maurice were waiting; and at Celia's suggestion he went in and opened the side door, thus making entrance easy for the others.
"How silly not to have thought of letting Maurice in this way before," he exclaimed.
The old house, a moment before so ghostly, now rang with the sound of voices as Rosalind, leaning over the stair rail, joyfully welcomed the rescuers.