Began to wonder where you had got to." "Take your stick and come along, Dan, as fast as you can." Without another word Vincent led the way along the edge of the wood to the point where the clump of trees at the back of the house hid it from his view.
"Now, Dan, stoop low and get across to those trees." Greatly astonished at what was happening, but having implicit faith in his master, Dan followed without a question.
It was but ten minutes since Vincent had seen the horsemen, but the darkness had closed in rapidly, and he had little fear of his approach being seen.

He made his way through the trees, and crept up to the house, and then kept close along it until he reached the front.

There stood the horses with the bridles thrown over their necks.

The riders were all inside the house.
"Look here, Dan," he whispered, "you keep here perfectly quiet until I join you again or you hear a pistol shot.

If you do hear a shot, rush at the horses with your stick and drive them off at full gallop.