At the corner of the two streets, on the side on which he was walking, a hedge obstructed his view, however. Yet as he had seen no one cross the road, he deemed it safe for him to increase his pace.
Scarce three feet away from the sidewalk up which he intended to turn was he, when suddenly a black-garbed young woman, struggling along with a heavy satchel, appeared from behind the hedge.
Hearing the sound of footsteps so close to her, she turned her head toward them to see who was coming.
As Cole beheld the rosy-cheeked face he with difficulty suppressed an exclamation.
He knew the girl!
Recovering quickly from his surprise he bowed, saying at the same time:
"Let me carry your bag for you?" And he extended his hand to take it.
But no sooner did she hear the voice, than the young woman shot a quick glance across the street, then hastened her steps without heeding the offer.
Unable to fathom such treatment, the outlaw looked in the same direction the black gowned girl had.
Scrutinizing him with undisguised interest were two men. Yet though they watched him closely, they never paused and continued up the opposite sidewalk from that occupied by the young woman, keeping a couple of yards behind her.