Rawdon, but, of the four who certainly were knocked insensible by the clubs, not one was to be found, nor was there any sign that the pistols of the cavalry had taken effect on the other three.  The whole seven had escaped.  Meanwhile Rawdon’s house and all the other buildings had been searched by Carruthers, without a single incriminating thing, save a half empty keg of peculiar white spirits, being brought to light.  The stables contained many horses; and strong waggons, such as those seen by the pedestrians at the Beaver River, were in the sheds.  The stone-cutters and the women professed to know nothing, and, save in the case of the woman called Flower, Bangs was of opinion that they spoke the truth.  All the men could tell was that Rawdon paid them good wages, so that they were able to live without work all winter; that six other men worked for him elsewhere and came to the boarding-house for their meals, but did not sleep there; that one of them had got hurt in the back, and was away in the hospital, and that two teamsters had left shortly before the intruders arrived, along with the remaining five.  They had also seen Rawdon ride in that morning, but did not know where he had gone.  Did they know of any underground vaults or trap doors, or any buildings apart from those in the encampment?  No, they had seen none; but, three years ago, before they returned to work in the spring, there must have been quarrymen about, for enormous quantities of stone were lying ready for them, which they had not taken out.  Mrs. Flower declined to answer any questions, but did not scruple to ask if the Squire and others had seen anything of a man called Harding.  When she learned the man’s fate, as she sat in a low chair, she rocked it to and fro and groaned, but shed no tear nor uttered an articulate syllable.

Bangs would not give up the search, nor would he leave the place.  There was food enough in the boarding-house, and he would remain, even if he had to stay alone.  Squire Walker had to be home for an engagement early in the morning; the two clergymen had to prepare for Wednesday evening’s duty, and had pastoral work before them; the colonel could not leave the man who had saved his life.  The doctor and the dominie were incapacitated; Ben Toner was worse than useless over Serlizer; Pierre dreaded his beloved Angelique’s ire if he remained away over night; and Sullivan’s folks might be kinder anxious about him.  Messrs. Hill and Hislop also thought they had better be going.  Thus the army melted away.  Everybody insisted on the Squire going home, and getting a good night’s rest.  When, with difficulty, persuaded to do so, he offered to leave Timotheus as his substitute, if that worthy were willing.  Timotheus consented, whereupon Sylvanus and Rufus volunteered, it being understood that Ben Toner and Maguffin would do their work about the kitchen and stables, while Serlizer helped the Bridesdale maids.  Two other volunteers were Mr. Terry and the lawyer; and two of the Richards