At the same instant a roughly dressed man appeared in the narrow path, as if by magic. At sight of him the hermit turned and fled back into the woods.
[CHAPTER XXIV]
THE HERMIT’S IDENTITY
“Catch him! I want him! Bring him back!” exclaimed the stranger as he saw the hermit disappearing into the depths of the forest.
“What do you want of him?” asked the professor, not liking the man’s looks.
“What’s that your business?” inquired the stranger. “Trot along now, and don’t bother me.”
“I’ll do nothing of the kind,” retorted Mr. Snodgrass. “That old man is a friend of ours, and we’ll see that no harm comes to him.”
“Well, I’m going to catch him,” replied the rough looking man, “so stand aside.”
He made as if to go in pursuit of the hermit, but Kate, with flashing eyes and defiant gestures, stood in front of the stranger.