Stella heard the tread of horses' feet, before her eyes
distinguished the party approaching, and she drew back cautiously. In
the glow of the light she could perceive four men in saddle halted in
front of the hotel, three of whom dismounted, and entered the building,
the fourth grasping the reins of the riderless animals, and leading
them up the street. No word was spoken, except an order to the
departing horseman, and the girl could not be certain of the identity
of those below, although convinced the first two to disappear within
were Enright and Beaton. She heard the murmur of voices below and the
heavy steps of the men as they came slowly up the stairs. Then a door
opened creakingly and she caught the sound of a woman's voice.
"Is that you, Ned?"
"Sure; what are you doing up at this hour?"
"Never mind that. Who have you got with you?"
"Enright and Lacy--why?"
"I want you all to come in here a minute; don't make so much noise."
A voice or two grumbled, but feet shuffled along the bare floor, and
the door creaked again as it was carefully closed behind them.
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