Chapter Sixteen.
Sturgess Shows his Teeth.
The loud barking of a dog followed the shot, and directly after Reed heard a sharp, light tap on a neighbouring door, and the Major’s voice—
“Don’t be alarmed, my dear. I thought I heard steps in the garden; my window was open. Some prowling tramp, I expect. Lie down and go to sleep.”
“Rather a military order,” thought Reed; “as if the poor girl could go to sleep under the circumstances, with her lover being shot at—Yes!”
“Don’t be startled, Mr Reed,” said the Major, who had tapped at his door. “We don’t have policemen here to go their rounds. Some scoundrel was after my chickens, I expect; and the dog was asleep, so I just fired a cartridge at random as a warning to my visitor. Good-night.”
“Shall I get up and go round with you?” said Reed.
“My dear sir, no. He’s over the hills and far away by now. Good-night.”
“Good-night, sir,” said Reed, who was half-dressed; and once more stillness reigned in the mountain solitude.