“‘Yes, of dying; I have resolved to rid the world of you. You pale before me, eh? You will be paler still ere morning. Take that hand from your hilt, or I’ll send a bullet whistling through your brain, you bastard.’
“Lawrence listened with nervous philosophic courage to all the enraged man had spoken, and he resolved not to draw arms whatever might befall him.
“But the last word exploded all his good resolutions.
“The slur on his unknown mother’s honour maddened him.
“The sabre leaped from its scabbard and flashed in the light.
“But instantly Redgill drew back and fired.
“Lawrence fell upon the bridge covered with blood.
“The stranger gazed for a moment on his prostrate form, and muttered, ‘I am satisfied. It was to be; it is done! Pale cadet in pretty uniform, you are now food for worms, fitting end for a pennyless cur; no one will ever miss you.’
“And with main strength he flung the body into the deepest part of the brook where the willows grew, and it disappeared beneath the eddying water.
“Carelessly lighting a cigar, he examined himself to see that no blood bespattered him, and coolly passed through the meadows and presented himself at Lord Stoner’s.