On crossing the bridge, in Denleigh valley, Haskins saw Geary lounging at his door, looking big and black and sullen and dangerous. However, a white man was not to be intimidated by a barbarous animal like this, so Gerald walked up to him coolly, and wished him good-day. Geary grew green under his black skin, and glared like a wild beast, his hands working convulsively. At his back, in the passage, could be seen the scared face of Mrs. Geary. She evidently dreaded what Haskins' errand might be, since she must have known of her husband's footpad attack.
"What might you be doing here, sah?" asked Geary, rolling his eyes.
"Taking a stroll, Geary--simply taking a stroll. How is your arm?"
The negro glared and took a step forward, his hand slipping round to the back. Haskins moved aside and gripped the revolver which he had taken the precaution to bring with him. Mr. Geary's knife was too dangerous a weapon to be met with mere fists. "I am quite ready," said the white man coolly: "you bring out that knife and I shoot."
"Dat would be murder, sah," whimpered Geary, reading danger in Haskins' steady eye: but he withdrew his hand from his back all the same. "You nearly murdered me afore, sah."
"I winged you as a murderous dog," said Gerald sharply, "and you quite deserve to be shot. Are you not afraid lest I should bring you into court for attacking me? You would get a long term of imprisonment, Adonis. We don't allow these sort of things in England."
"You do what you like, sah. Major Rebb, him look after me."
"I don't think Major Rebb will interfere," said Gerald carelessly.
Geary showed his white teeth significantly. "Dat massa ob mine will see dat all is safe wid me, sah, until he die."
"Ah, that means you can force him to protect you."