“What is all this noise about, young gentleman?” asked the stranger. “Why are you battering my property in that wild fashion?”
“Because,” replied Walter, rather taken aback by this question, “my brother has been fastened in here by some scoundrel, and I want to get him out.”
“You must be dreaming, or mad, my young friend,” said the rider; “who would ever think of making a prisoner of your brother in such a place?”
“It’s a fact for all that,” replied Walter. “He’s in there, and he must be got out. I’ve sent for a blacksmith and some men from the nearest village to burst open the door, and I expect them here directly.”
“I can save them that trouble,” said the other. “I keep a few odd things—implements and things of that sort—in this cottage of mine, and if by some strange accident your brother has got locked in here, I shall be only too happy to let him out.” So saying, he dismounted, and, having hung his horse’s bridle over a staple projecting from the stone wall, produced a large key from his pocket, unlocked the heavy door, and threw it wide open.
Walter rushed in and flung his arms round his brother, who gazed at him in some bewilderment, hardly expecting so speedy a release. Then both came to the outside of the building. The stranger had remounted; and then, looking the brothers steadily in the face, he made a low bow, and with the words, “Good-evening, gentlemen; I wish you a safe and pleasant journey home,” turned round, and trotted briskly away.
“Did you notice that man’s face?” asked Amos of his brother in a half whisper. “Should you know it again?”—“Anywhere all the world over,” was the reply.—“Ah, well,” said the other, “I shall have strange things to tell you about him.” The next minute Harry and his party came in sight, and, on arriving at the cottage, were astonished and not altogether pleased to find the prisoner at liberty without their assistance. However, the pleasure expressed by Harry, and a little present from Walter, as a token of thankfulness for their prompt appearance, sent them all home well content. And now Amos had to prepare for his return.
“You shall have my pony,” said Walter, “and Harry and I will ride doublets on the old mare.”
To this Amos having assented—“What has become of poor Prince?” he asked. “Does any one know?”
“All right,” said Walter; “Prince is safe at home in the stable. He must have a sack of corn all to himself, for when he came in he was ready to eat his head off. You shall hear all about it.”