Choking a ridiculous feeling of frightened apprehension, Diana drew rein.

“I do not perceive those berries!” she said lightly.

“No, miss,” was the immediate response. “They are just a step into the wood. If you care to dismount here I can show you.”

Nothing could be more respectful than the man’s tone. Diana shook off her nervous qualms and slipped down. Harper, already on the ground, took the cob’s rein and tied both horses to a tree.

Diana gathered her skirts over her arm and picked her way through the brambles to where he had pointed.

The blackberry hedges he held back for her entrance swung back after they had passed, completely shutting out all view of the road. There were no berries.