Harvey was thinking hard when he caught the well-known light, among the trees in the cabin.
"He, Tom and Jack, precious scamps all of them, are exulting over the sorrow they have caused, but they shall pay for it."
The latch-string had not yet been withdrawn. Harvey gave it a jerk, followed by a spiteful push that threw the door wide open. Disappointment awaited him. Neither Hugh nor Tom was there, but Jack, looking like a twin brother of Tom, was in the act of lighting the pipe that his relative had probably left for his use. He was alone, not even the hound being present.
Jack had partly risen to his feet to reach the pouch of tobacco on the short mantel above the fireplace. He paused and looked over his shoulder with a startled expression at the visitor who made such an emphatic entrance.
"Why—why, Mr. Bradley," he stammered, "I didn't know it was you; will you take a seat?"
"Where are Hugh and Tom?"
"They went out some time ago."
"Where did they go?" demanded Harvey in an angry voice.
"Down to—the—that is, I don't know."
"Yes, you do know. I want no trifling; I will not stand it."