She worked fast and furiously, and had just turned away from the innocent-looking, well-piled box of split wood in the corner, when she heard the excited voices of hurrying men at her front door.
They tapped sharply.
She took the lamp from the kitchen table, carried it with her to the door, shot the bolt back again and threw the door wide open.
Three men stepped into the semi-circle of light. All were tall and of agile build.
“Poor boy!” was Eileen’s first thought. “What chance has he against these?”
One of the men carried a rifle. She knew him. Everybody in Vernock knew him. She had known him ever since his coming to the Valley five years before.
She had marked with childlike wonder––as others had done––his meteoric progress in wealth and power. He was a man, disliked by some, feared by many, and obeyed by all; a land-owner; a cattle breeder; a grain dealer; a giant in body as well as will; and––the new Mayor of Vernock.
The other men were strangers to the girl.
All three walked straight through to the kitchen. The one nearest to Eileen addressed her.
“Sorry miss, for intrudin’ so late, ’specially as we hear your dad’s at Enderby and you’re all alone to-night. But we’re after a man––a convict––escaped from Ukalla 16 jail. Saw your light! Thought we saw your door open!”