They may return," said Hare. He hurried up the
steps to place his arm round the tottering old man.
"Was that Holderness?"
"Yes," replied Hare.
"The deeds of the wicked return unto them! God's will!"
Hare led the Bishop indoors. The sitting-room was full of wailing women
and crying children. None of the young men were present. Again Hare
made note of their inexplicable absence. He spoke soothingly to the
frightened family. The little boys and girls yielded readily to his
persuasion, but the women took no heed of him.
"Where are your sons?" asked Hare.
"I don't know," replied the Bishop. "They should be here to stand by
you. It's strange. I don't understand. Last night my sons were visited
by many men, coming and going in twos and threes till late. They didn't
sleep in their beds. I know not what to think."
Hare remembered John Caldwell's enigmatic face.
"Have the rustlers really come?" asked a young woman, whose eyes were red
and cheeks tear-stained.
"They have. Nineteen in all. I counted them," answered Hare.
The young woman burst out weeping afresh, and the wailing of the others
answered her.
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