He had hardly completed his arrangements before the farmer returned with his daughter all dressed and ready for a start.

The greeting between the lovers was warm, but brief, for minutes were precious, and there was much to be done.
"We must make our start at once," said Jefferson Hope, speaking in a low but resolute voice, like one who realizes the greatness of the peril, but has steeled his heart to meet it.

"The front and back entrances are watched, but with caution we may get away through the side window and across the fields.

Once on the road we are only two miles from the Ravine where the horses are waiting.

By daybreak we should be half-way through the mountains." "What if we are stopped," asked Ferrier.
Hope slapped the revolver butt which protruded from the front of his tunic.