It developed that they might have spared themselves such headlong flight.  The explosion appeared to be long in coming.  At length we saw the lifting of the roof in a cloud of red dust, and then heard an exceedingly heavy but low detonation.  When the pall of dust drifted away all that was left of Steele’s jail was a part of the stone walls.  The building that stood nearest, being constructed of adobe, had been badly damaged.

However, this wreck of the jail did not seem to satisfy Blome and his followers, for amid wild yells and huzzahs they set to work with crowbars and soon laid low every stone.  Then with young Snecker in the fore they set off up town; and if this was not a gang in fit mood for any evil or any ridiculous celebration I greatly missed my guess.

It was a remarkable fact, however, and one that convinced me of deviltry afoot, that the crowd broke up, dispersed, and actually disappeared off the streets of Linrock.  The impression given was that they were satisfied.  But this impression did not remain with me.  Morton was scarcely deceived either.  I told him that I would almost certainly see Steele early in the evening and that we would be out of harm’s way.  He told me that we could trust him and his men to keep sharp watch on the night doings of Blome’s gang.  Then we parted.

It was almost dark.  By the time I had gotten something to eat and drink at the Hope So, the hour for my meeting with Sally was about due.  On the way out I did not pass a lighted house until I got to the end of the street; and then strange to say, that one was Steele’s.  I walked down past the place, and though I was positive he would not be there I whistled low.  I halted and waited.  He had two lights lit, one in the kitchen, and one in the big room.  The blinds were drawn.  I saw a long, dark shadow cross one window and then, a little later, cross the other.  This would have deceived me had I not remembered Steele’s device for casting the shadow.  He had expected to have his house attacked at night, presumably while he was at home; but he had felt that it was not necessary for him to stay there to make sure.  Lawless men of this class were sometimes exceedingly simple and gullible.

Then I bent my steps across the open, avoiding road and path, to the foot of the hill upon which Sampson’s house stood.  It was dark enough under the trees.  I could hardly find my way to the secluded nook and bench where I had been directed to come.  I wondered if Sally would be able to find it.  Trust that girl!  She might have a few qualms and come shaking a little, but she would be there on the minute.

I had hardly seated myself to wait when my keen ears detected something, then slight rustlings, then soft steps, and a dark form emerged from the blackness into the little starlit glade.  Sally came swiftly towards me and right into my arms.  That was sure a sweet moment.  Through the excitement and dark boding thoughts of the day, I had forgotten that she would do just this thing.  And now I anticipated tears, clingings, fears.  But I was agreeably surprised.