"You see I have you in my power," he continued. "I disarmed you
last night while you were nursing Clara; but this morning - here -
take your pistol. No thanks!" he cried, holding up his hand. "I
do not like them; that is the only way you can annoy me now."
He began to walk forward across the links to meet the boat, and I
followed a step or two behind. In front of the pavilion I paused
to see where Mr. Huddlestone had fallen; but there was no sign of
him, nor so much as a trace of blood.
"Graden Floe," said Northmour.
He continued to advance till we had come to the head of the beach.
"No farther, please," said he. "Would you like to take her to
Graden House?"
"Thank you," replied I; "I shall try to get her to the minister's
at Graden Wester."
The prow of the boat here grated on the beach, and a sailor jumped
ashore with a line in his hand.
"Wait a minute, lads!" cried Northmour; and then lower and to my
private ear: "You had better say nothing of all this to her," he
added.
"On the contrary!" I broke out, "she shall know everything that I
can tell."
"You do not understand," he returned, with an air of great dignity.
"It will be nothing to her; she expects it of me. Good-bye!" he
added, with a nod.
I offered him my hand.
"Excuse me," said he. "It's small, I know; but I can't push things
quite so far as that. I don't wish any sentimental business, to
sit by your hearth a white-haired wanderer, and all that.
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