Pagina 31 van 416

There was a dramatic pause. After Nat's proprietary interest in

Nellie and her affairs it was distinctly his place to make the

next move. Everybody felt it, and Code, subconsciously realizing

this, said nothing.

It required another moment for the situation to become clear to

Burns. Then, when he realized what alternatives he faced, he

gradually grew pale beneath his deep tan and looked defiantly

from one to another of the group about him.

"Rot!" he cried suddenly. "The boy can't have gone back. It

wasn't five minutes ago I saw him under the cherry-tree. I

haven't looked in this direction. Wait! I'll be back in a

minute!" And again he was off in his frantic search, his voice

rising above the roar of the fire.

Code waited no longer.

Snatching up a blanket from the ground, he raced toward the

burning house.