And here she was in the dead of night carrying out the errand of the deadliest foe the house of Ravenspur had ever known. She was half inclined to throw the whole thing to the winds, to disappear and never return again. Why should she----
She stopped. Something was stirring in the bushes on either side of her. Perhaps it was a rabbit or a fox. Probably somebody had dogged her footsteps.
"Who are you?" Marion cried. "Speak, or I call for help."
The threat was futile, considering the time of night. The bushes parted and two men appeared. Marion gave one loud scream, but before she could repeat the cry a hand was laid on her lips.
Whoever they were, they were not unduly rough. The hand that stayed further clamor was hard, but it was not cruel.
"You are not to cry out again," a voice whispered. "I will not injure you if you promise not to call out."
Marion indicated that she would comply with this suggestion. Immediately the hand fell from her lips.
"This is an outrage," she said. "Who are you?"
"That is beside the point," was the reply. "It is an outrage, but we are not going to treat you badly. We are unfortunately compelled to keep you for some four-and-twenty hours from the custody of your friends, but you may rest assured that you will be treated with every consideration."
"Since you like to put it in that way, yes."
Marion was properly indignant. She pointed out that the course these men were pursuing was a criminal one, and that it was likely to lead them into trouble.
But she might have been speaking to the winds. If she could only see these people! She had not the remotest idea what they were like. The man who spoke was evidently a gentleman; his companion seemed like a working man--a sailor by his walk. And yet it was impossible to see the faces of either.
"Where are you going to take me?" Marion asked.
"We are going to conduct you to one of the caves," was the reply. "Unfortunately no house is available for our purpose, or we should not put you to this inconvenience. But we have made every preparation for your comfort, and you are not likely to suffer for want of food or anything of that kind. And I pledge you my word of honor that you shall not be detained a minute beyond the specified time."