hands behind his back, whom she now recognized as her father. Then the victorious ones disappeared into the darkness, doubtless bent upon finding and capturing Young Cy.
The girl crept over to her father.
"Hitty, lass! You here!" Squire Condit gave a great start and then a groan. His eyes seemed to be trying to disbelieve what they saw.
"What be the matter? Why do you not speak?" Then he saw that she was gagged and his eyes flashed.
"Canst kneel behind me?" he continued. "Mayhap my hands, bound as they are, can unloosen the gag."
Just as Mehitable was about to obey, however, Sturgins appeared and with unexpected humanity told the girl roughly that he would remove the gag.
"'Twill do no hurt, now, in sooth," he said indifferently. Saying which, he cut the cloth away with his knife and vanished once more into the darkness. After he had gone, father and daughter kissed each other, and for a short time each was too overcome to do more than murmur brokenly. Then Squire Condit straightened himself determinedly.
"Best see to poor Master Jones, lass. He has been sore wounded and I fear that brute has hurt him again!"
"Nay, Squire!" The other man spoke calmly from where he lay upon the wet ground. "I did not like to interfere with your greetings. How are ye, Hitty, my dear? And how is my wife? Canst tell me if she still lives?"
Mehitable went to him. "Ah, Master Jones," she said pitifully, "if only I could loosen this hemp upon
