Matthew was so bent on revenge that he hated to give up his evil project; but he had waited so long, looked, listened, and hoped, and no sound of footsteps could he hear, that now he broke out angrily:
"Worthington isn't coming, after all—the sneak!"
"Don't believe he is," shivered Tim, who was evidently very anxious to get out of his contract.
"But he must come this way," continued Matthew.
"He might go to the other road and cut across the grove."
"Why should he do that when it is so much farther? Listen, do you hear it? There is a step now!" exclaimed De Vere, clutching his club tightly.
"Sure as I'm alive, there he comes," said Tim, pointing to an approaching object just growing visible.
"Let him get nearly opposite us before striking. Ah, now I'll get square with him—the tramp! I'll teach him better than to interfere with me," continued Matthew, swinging his club as if raining imaginary blows upon the head of his victim.
"I should think so," observed Tim.
"He will think so, too, in about a minute. He will wish he had not crossed my path."