Home he came. By the way none greeted him of all he met, and a many they were for the hour; and none hooted after him, but shrilling whistles at his back made him turn to wonder what was afoot. Quick figures dodged past him and sped.
Apprehension dawned when he crossed the threshold to find two scared women, and Giles ghastly and bandaged.
'Who did this?'
'An accident, an accident,' muttered the old man, seeing the boy ablaze with wrath and pity before ever he heard a word.
Out came a tale of outrage: while the house was empty, Lois and Rhoda away bleaching, the linhay had been forced, and the coral laid there, Christian's store of precious, sacred coral, looted entire. Giles, coming on the scene, had been tripped up and left for stunned by one unaware how an unhappy blade had gashed his fall.
'And who did it?' said Christian, hoarse with his passion.
'Don't say!' ordered Giles, and the women were mute.
'I will know,' he cried, stamped out ungovernable, and beat away.
The three looked at each other, pale and fearful. Then Giles staggered to his feet. 'Help me after him, wife.'
'Rhoda,' said Lois, 'go quick for his Reverence—if he be abroad, follow him quick.'