The shadows were lengthening and the sunlight falling in deepening gold when they walked up the avenue and shook hands with him at the big entrance gates.
"Well, gentlemen," he said, "you've treated me grand--as fine as silk, and it won't be like Little Willie to forget it.

When I go back to New York it'll be all I can do to keep from getting the swell head and bragging about it.

I've enjoyed myself down to the ground, every minute.
I'm not the kind of fellow to be likely to be able to pay you back your kindness, but, hully gee! if I could I'd do it to beat the band.
Good-bye, gentlemen--and thank you--thank you." Across which one of their minds passed the thought that the sound of the hollow impact of a trotting horse's hoofs on the road, which each that moment became conscious of hearing was the sound of the advancing foot of Fate?
It crossed no mind among the three.

There was no reason why it should.

And yet at that moment the meaning of the regular, stirring sound was a fateful thing.
"Someone on horseback," said Penzance.
He had scarcely spoken before round the curve of the road she came.