seven o'clock before
I ai n't scared , not I . You know my four boys in your club ; they 've all got guns and can use 'em , and I 've got mine to boot . '' So , they left the body there , and persuaded the sister to come with them on their six mile walk home . It was seven o'clock before they had accomplished half the journey , and had been met by the representatives of an anxious household , the Squire and his father-in-law , the latter with rifle in hand , prepared for action . The first joy at beholding them safe and sound was damped by the news they brought . As soon as Carruthers could recover himself he spoke to the weird woman and invited her to come and rest at Bridesdale . Then he hastened on ahead to warn his wife and sister , and make arrangements for the reception of the strange visitor .