CHAPTER XII
THE RECOGNITION
ALTHOUGH fully satisfied that all the ruffians had left the upper floor, with the exception of the unconscious Nichols, for a few moments neither of us ventured to speak or move. What would the fellows do when they discovered the lady's horse still in the stable? Would they decide we had hastily fled on foot, and scatter widely in search of some trace? There was little hope of their finding any trail to follow in the storm raging without, but they might very reasonably expect to overhaul fugitives on foot by a thorough scouring of nearby roads and fields. Lewisburg alone promised shelter and protection, and there was only one road leading to Lewisburg. Beyond doubt Cowan would send men spurring in that direction, and others probably to scour the adjacent fields as thoroughly as possible in the darkness. But in the meanwhile what should we do? was there any possibility of escape by descending? or would it be safer to remain where we were until the return of daylight? I could reach up, and feel the rafters of the roof overhead, and, now in
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