rd, but walked rapidly down toward the river-road.
There was fickle moonlight now and then; he dropped still farther
behind, and followed her, full of conjecture, which was not so much
curiosity as pain. It was still early in the evening, yet too late for
her to be out there on the river-road alone. This innocent young
girl--this child--where, where was she going? He let her walk on for a
mile, and then he made up his mind that he must stop her. They were far
beyond the houses now, and the road was lonely and wild; the roar of the
river over its broad, rock-dotted, uneven bed, hid the sound of his
footsteps as he climbed up the steep bank, ran forward, and came down
into the road in advance of her.

"Where are you going, Miss Honor?" he said, showing himself, and
speaking quietly.

She started back, and gasped out his name.

"Yes, it is I," he answered, "Stephen Wainwright. I am alone; you need
not be frightened."

She came close up to him and took his hand.

"Do not stop me," she said entreatingly. "I am on an errand of life and
death!"

"I will go in your place, Honor."

"You can not."

"Yes, I can. But _you_ shall not."

"Will you betray me, then?" she said, in an agonized tone.

"No; but you will tell me what it is, and I will go for you."

"I tell you, you can not go."

"Why?"

"You do not know; and, besides--you would not."

"I will do anything you ask me to do," said Stephen.

"Anything?"

"Anything."

She hesitated, looking at him.

"Do you give me your word?"

"I do."

"But--but it is an enormous thing you are doing for me."

"I know it is."

"Oh, let me go--let me go myself!" she cried suddenly, with a half sob;
"it is so much better."

"I will never let you go," said Stephen. His voice was inflexible. She
surveyed him tremulously, hopelessly; then sank down upon her knees,
praying, but not to him. Stephen took off his hat, and waited,
bareheaded. It was but a moment; then she rose. "My cousin, Richard
Eliot, my uncle's eldest son, has been with these men, at one of their
hiding-places, for some months. My uncle knows nothing of it; but
Brother Bethuel is in the secret, and keeps watch of him."

"Your cousin is Masters, then?"

"He is. Ask no more questions, but hasten on; take the first broad trail
which leaves the road on the right, follow it until you come to Brother
Bethuel's house; you can not miss it; it is the only one. He will guide
you to the place where Richard is,