“He is a second Long Jim Silver. You had better give up this pursuit.”
“So I was told at Vanceborough; but I vowed that I would have that rifle, and I will!”
“You may lose your life instead of recovering the rifle. Enos Dugan is a man to shun.”
“I have heard that he is a smuggler. Do you know if it is true?”
“I believe they tell such things about him, but it is hard to prove. In fact, it is next to impossible to prove anything against him. He will soon find out you have followed him, if he does not know it now, and you will be in terrible peril. I beg you to give up this search and go back at once!”
Her earnestness was impressive. All the laughter was gone from her face now, and she was looking at him with those dark eyes in a manner that stirred his heart, for he realized that she was moved by feelings which her eyes revealed, despite herself.
Her hand, now neatly gloved, rested on his arm, and it trembled a little.
“Promise me you will do as I ask?” she urged.
“I can’t promise you that,” he said, gravely. “I cannot break my vow.”
“Not even for me?”