"Twist Miss Linisfarne's neck?"
"Ay! That I shall!"
Dan advanced, and, laying his hand on the giant's shoulder, looked at him curiously. The man was strongly moved, though by what Dan could not conjecture. Such an unexpected display of anger was all of a piece with the other mysteries connected with Miss Linisfarne.
"See here, my man," said Dan, deliberately; "we had better understand one another. I allow no man to speak to me as you have done. You are keeping something from me."
"It's a lie!" said Tim, hoarsely.
Dan, in nowise moved by the insult, persisted in his questioning. "It's the truth. How did you know my name?"
"That's my business."
"And mine also. I was directed to Farbis by your kinsfolk. I was met here by Mother Jericho, and a few weeks ago you called me by my name. Now you are angry because my name is connected with Miss Linisfarne's by lying gossip."
"Is it lying gossip?" asked Tim, eagerly ignoring the rest of the speech.
"Of course it is. I am in love with Meg. Do you think I want to marry Miss Linisfarne, who is old enough to be my mother?"