“Not now, you have cured it.”
“Well, you’ve missed an encounter with the most impudent rascal I ever came across.”
“You didn’t meet Hermann?”
“Well, perhaps I have found his match; but you shall hear. Grimes said he heard guns, and we came upon the scoundrel in Lewis Acre, two brace on his shoulder.”
“The vultures are gathering to the prey,” said his mother.
“I’m not arrived at lying still to be devoured!” said Bobus. “I gave him the benefit of a doubt, and sent Grimes to warn him off; but the fellow sent his card—his card forsooth, ‘Mr. Gilbert Gould, R.N.,’—and information that he had Miss Menella’s permission.”
“Not credible,” said Jock.
“Mrs. Lisette’s more likely,” said his mother. “I think he is her brother.”
“I sent Grimes back to tell him that Miss Menella had as much power to give leave as my old pointer, and if he did not retire at once, we should gently remove his gun and send out a summons.”
“Why did you not do so at once?” cried Jock.