Now I know--after seeing his girl."
"By Jove!" exclaimed Ancliffe.
"Well, I'll block Durade's gang. Will you save the girl?"
"Assuredly," answered the imperturbable Englishman. "Where shall I
take her?"
"Where CAN she be safe? The troop camp? No, too far, ... Aha! take
her to Stanton. Tell Stanton the truth. Stanton will hide her. Then
find Neale and King."
Hough turned to Allie. "I'm glad you spoke--about Neale," he said,
and there was a curious softness in his voice. "I owe him a great
deal. I like him ... Ancliffe will get you out of here--and safely
back to Neale."
Allie knew somehow--from something in his tone, his presence--that
he would never leave this gloomy inclosure. She heard Ancliffe
ripping a board off the wall or fence, and that sound seemed
alarmingly loud. The voices no longer were heard behind the canvas
house. The wind whipped through the bare framework. Somewhere at a
distance were music and revelry. Benton's night roar had begun. Over
all seemed to hang a menacing and ponderous darkness.
Suddenly a light appeared moving slowly from the most obscure corner
of the space, perhaps fifty paces distant.
Hough drew Allie closer to Ancliffe. "Get behind me," he whispered.
A sharp ripping and splitting of wood told of Ancliffe's progress;
also it located the fugitives for Durade's gang.
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