sed, inquiry
on her serene, fair face.

"Has any stranger been here?"

"No."

"Miss Thorne," said another of the group--in whom she recognised a
prominent citizen of Eden, with whom she had, however, but a very slight
acquaintance, and who now came forward, doffing his hat with a
deferential bow--"perhaps we had better speak to your brother."

"My brother is out. I represent the family at present, and can answer
any question you may wish to ask. I presume, gentlemen, you come on
business?"

"On business, lady, with which we would not trouble you, if it were not
that we must ascertain whether the person of whom we are in search is
here. We have ordered a search of the outhouses, where a tramp might
take shelter. Meanwhile, with your permission, we will look over the
house. A man might enter by one of the upper windows without your
suspecting it."

"Indeed, I trust not," said Barbara.

"We have reason to believe that the man we want came this way, and he
would be likely to try to gain entrance and get refuge here."

"I hope he will not. But you are most welcome to look round."

Barbara, gracious and self-possessed, accompanied them, in hostess-wise,
from room to room on the ground floor. The kitchen looked cheerful with
the lighted lamp and stove, the kettle singing merrily on the fire; one
cup, saucer, and plate were set out upon the table, with a cake.
Evidently Miss Thorne had been busy preparing her modest tea when their
arrival interrupted her. The whole party were crossing the hall to the
parlour when they heard the clatter of galloping horses' hoofs, and two
horsemen dashed into the court-yard, hastily dismounted, and entered the
house. And one of these was no other than Colonel Jeff! He and his
companion were evidently expected by the "Vigilance" party, who received
them quietly, as a matter of course, and indeed an awaited addition to
their ranks, one of the men from Eden City observing as he nodded a
greeting, "Guessed you wouldn't keep us waiting long."

The Colonel looked at Barbara; she paled a little as she met his gaze,
albeit there was no shadow of suspicion in it, only a tender and
respectful solicitude lest she should be alarmed or agitated by this
invasion. But she compelled herself to return his look calmly and
gently, and he was reassured by her tranquillity.

"Any traces?" he demanded, turning to the one who was apparently the
leader of the committee.

[Illustration: "'ALLOW ME,' SAID