Nicolas was hiding in the store-room of the vacant farmhouse, and Ferrol must assist him to escape to the State of New York.
He had stolen into the village from the north, and, afraid to trust any one except this faithful member of his company, had taken refuge in a place where, if the worst came to the worst, he could defend himself, for a time at least.

Twenty rifles of the rebels had been stored in the farmhouse, and they were all loaded! Ferrol, of course, could go where he liked, being a Britisher, and nobody would notice him.

Would he not try to get him away?
While Christine questioned the fugitive, Ferrol thought the matter over.
One thing he knew: the solution of the great problem had come; and the means to the solution ran through his head like lightning.

He rose to his feet, drank off a few mouthfuls of undiluted whiskey, filled a flask and put it in his pocket.

Then he found his pistols, and put on his greatcoat, muffler and cap, before he spoke a word.
Christine stood watching him intently.
"What are you going to do, Tom ?" she said quietly.