A low murmur arose from the little crowd, and this seemed to excite Gartram.
“Well,” he cried fiercely, “what does that mean? It was his own fault—in direct opposition to my orders; and this is not the first accident through your own folly.”
The low, angry muttering continued.
“Here, come away, Claude,” cried Gartram fiercely, as he looked round at the lowering faces.
“He has murdered me, I tell you!” came from the open cottage door.
“Bah!” ejaculated Gartram angrily, and he strode away, but returned directly.
“Are you coming, my girl?”
“Yes, papa, soon. Let me see if I can be of use.”
“Look here, Mr Glyddyr,” said Gartram, speaking in a low, excited voice, “I can’t stop. I shall be saying things that will make them mad. See after Claude, and bring her home. The senseless idiots! If a man bruises himself with his own hammer, it is blamed on me.”
He strode away, and ignoring Glyddyr’s presence, Claude was moving softly toward the door, when the man who had brought the message held out his hand to arrest her.