Cautiously, silently, Tom crept out, peering anxiously in every direction. Stealthily he raised himself. Then suddenly he made a low sound and with a rapidity which startled Archer, dropped to his hands and knees. "What's the matterr?" Archer whispered. "Come inside--quick!" But Tom was engrossed with something on the ground. "What is it?" Archer whispered anxiously. "His footprints?" "Yop," said Tom, less cautiously. "Come on out. He's standing over there in the field now. Come on out, don't be scared." Archer did not know what to make of it, but he crept out and looked over to the adjacent field where Tom pointed. A kindly, patient cow, one of those they had seen before, was grazing quietly, partaking of a late lunch in the moonlight. "Here's her footprint," said Tom simply. "She gave us a good scare, anyway." "Well--I'll--be----" Archer began. "Sh-h!" warned Tom. "We don't know yet why Frenchy's sister don't come. But there weren't any soldiers here--that's one sure thing. We had a lot of worry for nothin'. Come on." CHAPTER VIII THE HOME FIRE NO LONGER BURNS "That's the first time I was everr scarred by a cow," said Archer, his buoyant spirit fully revived, "but when I hearrd those footsteps overr my head, _go-od night_! It's good you happened to think about looking for footprints, hey?" "I didn't _happen_ to," said Tom. "I always do. Same as you never forget to get a souvenir," he added soberly. "I'd like to get a sooveneerr from that cow, hey? _You_ needn't talk; if it hadn't been for that wire, where'd we be now? Sooveneerrs arre all right. But I admit you've got to have ideas to go with 'em." "Thanks," said Tom. "Keep the change," said Archer jubilantly. "Believe me, I don't carre what becomes of me as long as I'm above ground--on terra cotta----" "We've got to get away from here before daylight, so come on," interrupted Tom. "Are we going up to the house?" "What else can we do?" The explanation of those appalling footfalls by no means explained the failure of Florette to keep her promise, and the fugitives started along the path which led to the house. They walked very cautiously, Tom scrutinizing the earth-covered planking for any sign of recent passing. The door of the stone kitchen stood open, which surprised them, and they stole quietly inside. A lamp stood upon the table, but there was no sign of human presence.