I calculate he ain't got much time to fool away here." Steptoe glanced suspiciously at Jack.

But at the same moment they were all startled--even Jack himself--at the apparition of Mrs.Barker passing hurriedly along the veranda before the windows in the direction of the still waiting buggy.

"D--n it!" said Steptoe in a fierce whisper to the man next him.

"Tell her not THERE--at the back door!" But before the messenger reached the door there was a sudden rattle of wheels, and with one accord all except Hamlin rushed to the veranda, only to see Mrs.Barker driving rapidly away alone.

Steptoe turned back into the room, but Jack also had disappeared.
For in the confusion created at the sight of Mrs.Barker, he had slipped to the back door and found, as he suspected, only one horse, and that with a side-saddle on.