If it had been dropped by a passing traveler, that traveler must have passed Collinson's, going or coming, within the last twelve hours.

It was scarcely possible that the shoe could have dropped from the foot without the wearer's knowing it, and it must have been dropped in an urgent flight, or it would have been recovered.
Thus practically Key treated his romance.

And having done so, he instantly wheeled his horse and plunged into the road in the direction of the fire.
But he was surprised after twenty minutes' riding to find that the course of the fire had evidently changed.

It was growing clearer before him; the dry heat seemed to come more from the right, in the direction of the detour he should have taken to Skinner's.

This seemed almost providential, and in keeping with his practical treatment of his romance, as was also the fact that in all probability the fire had not yet visited the little hollow which he intended to explore.