herself of murder to save the man that's jilted her if I can help
it." As he spoke Eugene's handsome face darkened again vindictively.
He hated Burr Gordon for another reason of his own that nobody
suspected.

Suddenly Abner Hautville came running into the yard. "Who is it
there?" he called out. "Is that you, father? That you, Eugene?
Hello!"

"Hello!" Eugene called back. "What's the matter?"

Abner come panting alongside. He had run from the village, and,
vigorous as he was, breath came hard in the thin air. It was a very
cold night.

"Where have they gone?" he demanded.

"Who?"

"Louis and Richard. Where have they gone?"

There was a ghastly look in Abner's face, in spite of the glowing red
which the cold wind had brought to it. The other man seemed to catch
it and reflect it in their own faces as they stared at him.

Eugene turned quickly to his father. "Aren't they in the house?" he
asked.

"No, they ain't," returned David, with his eyes still on Abner's
face.