“Keep silence!” again ordered the unseen man.
Evatt, after an oath below his breath, demanded, “By what right do ye stop us, whoever ye are?”
“By the right of powder and ball,” remarked the voice, drily.
Again the dog barked, and both Evatt and the unseen man swore. “Curse the beast!” said the latter. “Hist, Charles! Call the dog, or he’ll wake the town.”
Another voice from a little distance called, “Clarion!” in a guarded inflection; meantime the hound had discovered his mistress, and was jumping about her horse, giving little yelps of pleasure.
In another instant Charles came running up. “What’s wrong?” he questioned.
“’T is a couple of riders I’ve halted,” said the voice from the shadow.
“Out of the way!” ordered Evatt. “Ye’ve no right to prevent us from going forward. I’ve pistols in my holsters, and ye’d best be careful how ye take the law into your own hands.”
The groom gave an exclamation as he recognised the riders; and paying no attention to Evatt, he sprang to the side of the girl and rested his hand on the bridle, as if to prevent her horse from moving, while he asked in amazement: “What brings you here?”
Speechless and shamed, the girl hung her head.