‘Is it alight?’ asked Eve, interpreting the question.
‘Wait a moment——Yes,’ answered Jasper.
Then a long spiral of white smoke, like a jet of steam from a kettle that is boiling, issued from Barbara’s lips, and rose in a perfect white ring. Her eyes followed the ring.
At that moment—bang! and again—bang!—the discharge of firearms.
The pipe fell into her lap.
‘What is that?’ asked Eve, springing to her feet. They all hurried out of the garden, and stood in front of the house, looking up and down the lane.
‘Stay here and I will see,’ said Jasper. ‘There may be poachers near.’
‘In pity do not leave us, or I shall die of fear,’ cried Eve.
The darkness had deepened. A few stars were visible. Voices were audible, and the tread of men in the lane. Then human figures were visible. It was too dark at first to distinguish who they were, and the suspense was great.
As, however, they drew nearer, Jasper and the girls saw that the party consisted of Joseph, the warder, and a couple of constables, leading a prisoner.