girl stepped from behind the
sheltering post. Her hand, resting doubtfully upon the balustrade,
sought in unconscious appeal her companion's arm, as they descended
together the broad steps. In the partial darkness the little man ill
discerned the figures, but divined their bearing in the relation of
outlines limned against the obscure background.

"Why," he muttered in surprise, "this is not the patroon! And here, if
I am not mistaken, is the lady Mr. Barnes is so anxious about."

"Mr. Barnes--he is with you?"

It was Constance that spoke.

"Yes; but--"

"Where is he?"

"We left him a ways down the road and--"

The sound of a horse's hoof beats in front of the manor, breaking in
on this explanation, was followed by hurried footsteps upon the porch.
The newcomer paused on the threshold, when, with an exclamation of
joy, Constance rushed to him, and in a moment was clasped in the arms
of the now jubilant Barnes.

CHAPTER XVI

THE COUNCIL AT THE TOWN PUMP

Next morning the sun had made but little progress in the heavens and
the dew was not yet off the grass when the party, an imposing
cavalcade, issued from the manor on the return journey. Their
home-coming was uneventful. The barn-burners had disappeared like
rabbits in their holes; the manor whose master had fled, deserted even
by the faithful Oly-koeks, was seen for the last time from the brow of
the hill, and then, with its gables and extensive wings, vanished from
sight.

"Well," remarked Barnes as they sped down the road, "it was a happy
coincidence for me that led the anti-renters to the patroon's house
last night."

And he proceeded to explain how when he had sought the magistrate, he
found that official organizing a _posse comitatus_ for the purpose of
quelling an anticipated uprising of lease-holders. In answer to the
manager's complaint the custodian of the law had asserted his first
duty was generally to preserve the peace; afterward, he would attend
to Barnes' particular grievance. Obliged to content himself as best
he might with this meager assurance, the manager, at his wit's end,
had accompanied the party whose way had led them in the direction the
carriage had taken, and whose final destination--an unhoped-for
consummation!--had proved the ultimate goal of his own desires.

On reaching, that afternoon, the town where they were playing, Susan
was the first of the company to greet Constance.

"Now that it's all over," she laughed