"And see, Ruth, he--he
limps!"
She caught her sister's arm as she spoke, and the two girls drew
closer together. The same thought came to both.
Was this the man who had run out of the barn?
"I believe it's the same one," whispered Ruth.
"And I'm perfectly positive," answered Alice. "Oh, Ruth, now is our
chance!"
"Chance! Chance for what?"
"I mean we can find out who he is, and perhaps solve the mystery."
"Alice DeVere! We're going to do no such thing! We're going to run
back home--that man is coming straight toward us!" cried Ruth, and
she began to drag Alice away from the bridge.
Meanwhile the limping figure continued to come along the road, going
alternately from bright moonlight to shadow as he passed clumps of
trees.
CHAPTER XIII
ON GUARD
Perhaps Alice really intended to do as she had intimated, and seek to
learn, through a direct question, the identity of the mysterious man
who seemed to have some object in remaining about Oak Farm. Then,
again, she may not. I believe it may not have been altogether clear
in her own mind.
At any rate, once Ruth began to show the white feather, and to insist
that Alice come away--then, if ever, the younger girl made up her
mind that she would do as she had said--really interview the
stranger--for, be it known, Alice was rather headstrong when opposed.
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