Yet to let him ride off alone now, would be to
drop the trail at the very moment the scent became of importance.
The landlord, a bustling, wiry little man all nervousness and
questions, unwittingly helped me at this crisis.
"Are you going on to Perry, sir?" inquired he of that gentleman, "I
have been expecting a man along these three days bound for Perry."
"I am that man," I broke in, stepping forward with some appearance of
asperity, "and I hope you won't keep me waiting. A horse as soon as
dinner is over, do you hear? I am two days late now, and won't stand
any nonsense."
And to escape the questions sure to follow, I strode into the
dining-room with a half-fierce, half- sullen countenance, that
effectually precluded all advances. During the meal I saw Mr. Blake's
eye roam more than once towards my face; but I did not return his
gaze, or notice him in any way; hurrying through my dinner, and
mounting the first horse brought around, as if time were my only
consideration. But once on the road I took the first opportunity to
draw rein and wait, suddenly remembering that I had not heard Mr.
Blake give any intimation of the direction he intended taking. A few
minutes revealed to me his elegant form well mounted and showing to
perfection in his closely buttoned coat, slowly approaching up the
road.
Pages:
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80