Nick resolved to know all about it before the night was much older. So he trailed along.
The colonel walked up the highway with rapid strides.
About half a mile from the house he found a carriage standing under the shadow of a tree.
Evidently he expected to find it just there, for he immediately jumped into it, and the driver whipped up his horse.
Nick was unable to see the driver, for the carriage was a covered buggy, and had been standing with its back toward him.
The horse was evidently a good one, but Nick overhauled him, and got hold of the carriage behind.
There was no chance for him to ride there, but his grip on the wagon helped him along, and he ran about eight miles quite comfortably.
His presence so near was entirely unsuspected by the occupants of the carriage. He was favorably situated for overhearing their conversation, but unfortunately they did not say anything.
Nick discovered that the driver was a woman, but he could only guess at her identity.
At last they turned suddenly out of the road, into the grounds of a private house.