"
"They?"
"He and the other."
"What other?"
"Sir, I don't know."
"Is he a very--young man, this other?"
"Yes, sir, he seems so. And they have been drinking together
and--I've heard enough to know that they mean you harm." But here
Master Barnabas smiled with all the arrogance of youth and shook his
head.
"John Peterby," said he, "learn that the first thing I desire in my
valet is obedience. Pray stand out of my way!" So, perforce Peterby
stood aside, yet Barnabas had scarce taken a dozen strides ere
Clemency stood before him.
"Go back," she whispered, "go back!"
"Impossible," said Barnabas, "I have a mission to fulfil."
"Go back!" she repeated in the same tense whisper, "you must--oh,
you must! I've heard he has killed a man before now--"
"And yet I must see and speak with his companion."
"No, no--ah! I pray you--"
"Nay," said Barnabas, "if you will, and if need be, pray for me." So
saying he put her gently aside, and entering the inn, came to the
door of that room wherein he had written the letter to his father.
"I tell you I'll kill him, Dalton," said a soft, deliberate voice.
"Undoubtedly; the light's excellent; but, my dear fellow, why--?"
"I object to him strongly, for one thing, and--"
The voice was hushed suddenly, as Barnabas set wide the door and
stepped into the room, with Peterby at his heels.
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