The long, wild ride had helped prepare her for the secrecy and taciturnity of men who had resorted to flight.

Perhaps her father had been delayed or was still off on the deadly mission that had obsessed him; or there might, and probably was, darker reason for his absence.

Ellen shut her teeth and turned to the needs of her horse.

And presently, returning to the fire, she thought of her uncle.
"Queen, is my uncle Tad heah ?" she asked.
"Shore.

He's in there," replied Queen, pointing at the nearer cabin.
Ellen hurried toward the dark doorway.