"None, sir," came the panting answer; there ensued a second's silence, a clatter of slippery hoofs, then only the loud, dull roar of the rain filled the silence.
The Major, who still stood at the door, turned around and glanced at his wife.
"What is it, dear—if we may know?" asked she, quite calmly.
"Yes," he said, "you should know, Hannah. And it may not be true, but—somehow, I think it is. Tarleton is out."
"Is he headed this way, Ebenezer?" asked Mr. Hunt, after a shocked silence.
"Why—yes, so they say. Luther Kinnicut sends the warning. It seems to be true."
"Tarleton has heard, no doubt, that Sheldon's Horse is concentrating here," said Mr. Hunt. "But I think it better for thee to leave, Ebenezer."
Mrs. Lockwood went over to her husband and laid her hand on his sleeve lightly. The act, and her expression, were heart-breaking, and not to be mistaken. She knew; and we also now surmised that if the Legion Cavalry was out, it was for the purpose of taking the man who stood there before our eyes. Doubtless he was quite aware of it, too, but made no mention of it.
"Alsop," he said, turning to his son-in-law, "best take the more damaging of the papers and conceal them as usual. I shall presently be busied with Thomas and Sheldon, and may have no time for such details."
"Will they make a stand, do you think?" I whispered to Boyd, "or shall we be sent a-packing?"