He jumped down and removed the stone.

It was then that he heard the far-off mutter of hoofs.

Coming along the road from Eissen were a trio of riders.

Carmichael laughed weakly.
"I swear to Heaven that this is no fault of mine!" Should he mount and be off before she made the turn?
Bah! It was an accident; he would make the most of it.

The bodyguard could easily vindicate him, in any event.