As he reached the other door, he saw two dark figures spring into the saddles of waiting horses and go galloping toward the pike.
Jimmy sent another shot after them, and turned as he felt a hand upon his arm.
“Here, here, what is the meaning of this?” came Mr. Willing’s voice.
“Two men just tried to get into Gabriel’s stall,” he replied.
“What!” exclaimed Mr. Willing, starting back in great surprise.
“It’s true, sir,” he added. “I frightened them away before they could do any damage, and I think I hit one of them.”
“You mean the man who was here to see me to-day?”
“Come to the house with me,” said Mr. Willing sternly. “There is more to this matter than appears on the surface. How did you happen to be sleeping in the stable?”
“It was Miss Shirley, sir, who first thought that Gabriel might come to harm.”
“And what does she know about this matter?”
“I’ll wake her now and find out,” declared Mr. Willing.
But there was no need to call Shirley, nor Mabel, either, for that matter. Both girls had heard the sound of the shots, and had immediately arisen from bed and begun to dress. Mabel’s father also had been aroused and now came from the house with them. As Jimmy and Mr. Willing approached, Mr. Ashton called out:
Mr. Willing explained in a few quick sentences. Then he turned to his daughter.
“Come to my room,” he said. “I want to ask you some questions.”
Shirley, Mabel, and Mr. Ashton followed Mr. Willing and Jimmy.
“Now, Shirley,” said Mr. Willing, sternly, “tell me all that you know about this matter.”
Shirley hesitated, but knew well it was useless. So, starting with the first conversation she had overheard between Jones and Jimmy, she told it all. At the conclusion of her story, Mr. Willing turned a grave look upon Jimmy.
“Daddy,” interrupted Shirley, “he did no such thing. He was just tempted; that’s all.”
“That he should even listen to the voice of the tempter is enough for me,” said Mr. Willing. “Smith, you may pack your clothes and leave the first thing in the morning.”
Jimmy bowed his head, and started to leave the room.
But Shirley ran across the room and stopped him. Standing between him and the door through which he would have left, she turned flashing eyes upon her father.
“Shame upon you,” she said, pointing an accusing finger at him. “But for Jimmy, there is no telling what might have happened to Gabriel this night. You know as well as I do that Jimmy is perfectly honest. You shan’t drive him away.”