Here the hoof marks ceased; but beyond there was a double track of human feet in the soft black earth; a man had gone thence to the house and returned from the house thither.

On the right of the tree were more hoof-marks, leading up to it and then ceasing.

A man had ridden up from the right, dismounted, gone on foot to the house, returned to the tree, remounted, and ridden away along the track by which we had approached.
"It may be somebody else," said I; but I do not think that we any of us doubted in our hearts that the tracks were made by the coming of Hentzau.

Then the king had the letter; the mischief was done.

We were too late.
Yet we did not hesitate.