She had not gone far, however, before she observed another person
approaching old Lothian from the opposite direction. This was Tom
Kinlay, and as she recognized him she paused and slowly retreated
to the cottage without being observed, for she had no desire to
meet him, or be seen by him at that moment.
As she looked round the two men met and stood face to face. The
wind carried the sound of their voices towards her, and she heard
angry words pass between them. Yet what they said was indistinct.
She only gathered that they were quarrelling about something that
Lothian had told to the excise officers. The dog barked at Kinlay,
and he kicked the animal.
Finally, Tom allowed the old man to continue his way a few yards
and shouted after him, "Well, anyhow, you'll tell no more;" and as
he said these words he raised a gun to his shoulder and fired.
The girl saw Lothian stagger and fall. Then Tom went and knelt down
at the side of his victim as though he would complete his work with
the knife he took from his belt. But, looking nervously round in
the direction of the cottage, as though fearing that the report of
the gun might bring some one out, he hurried away in the direction
of the cliffs, carrying with him a rope which was coiled over his
shoulder.
Already Thora had left the cottage, but Tom had not observed her.
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