Please tell us, Mr.Ferris! One would like to find there is just a trace of reality in our picturesque fancies of debonair desperadoes and big-hatted cavaliers." There was a curious expression in Ferris's face, but as he glanced around at the rest, who were regarding him expectantly, he did not observe that Maud Barrington and her aunt had just come in and stood close behind him.
"Can't you see there's no getting out of it, Ferris ?" said somebody.
"Well," said the lad in desperation, "I can only admit that Gordon is right.

There was foul play and a pistol drawn, but I'm sorry that I can't add anything further.

In fact, it wouldn't be quite fair of me." "But the man from Silverdale ?" asked Mrs.Macdonald.
"I'm afraid," said Ferris, with the air of one shielding a friend, "I can't tell you anything about him." "I know Mr.Courthorne drove in that night," said the young English girl, who was not endued with very much discretion.
"Courthorne," said one of the bystanders, and there was a momentary silence that was very expressive.

"Was he concerned in what took place, Ferris ?" "Yes," said the lad with apparent reluctance.

"Mrs.Macdonald, you will remember that they dragged it out of me, but I will tell you nothing more whatever." "It seems to me you have told us quite sufficient and perhaps a trifle too much," said somebody.
There was a curious silence.