“No, I’ll stay on. I don’t believe it’ll be anything more than a scare,” answered the latter with a light laugh.
Hilary Blachland had been watching her, while not appearing to, watching them both. The start of consternation which escaped Justin Spence at the prospect of this separation had not escaped him. He noted, too, that beneath Hermia’s lightness of tone there lurked a shadowed anxiety. He was sharp, even as she herself had defined him—yes, he was decidedly sharp-witted was Hilary Blachland.
Chapter Seven.
A Limed Bird.
“Was the trip a success this time, Hilary? And—where’s Mr Sybrandt? Didn’t he come back with you?”
“Three questions at once. That’s the feminine cross-examiner all over. Well, it was and it wasn’t. There was no doing any trade to speak of, and Lo Ben was in a very snuffy mood. I found out a good deal that was worth finding out though. Questions two and three. I left Sybrandt half a day’s trek the other side of the Inpembisi river.”
“And do you think there is really any danger of war?” asked Hermia.
“I think you will be far safer away from here. So you had better go. I’m sending the waggon on to Fort Salisbury to-morrow.” And again, without seeming to, his keen observant glance took in Justin’s face.