“We are followed,” panted Mrs Hallam. “We must hide.”
As she spoke they were on the summit of the slope, with their figures against the sky-line to any one below, and in proof of this there was a shout from a short distance below, and a cry of “Stop!”
“Crellock!” muttered Mrs Hallam, and she glanced from side to side for a place of concealment, but only to see that the attempt to hide would be only folly.
“Can you run, Julie?” she whispered.
For answer Julia started off, and for about a hundred yards they ran down the slope, and then stopped, panting. They could make no further effort save that of facing their pursuer, who dashed down to them breathless.
“A pretty foolish trick,” he cried. “Mercy I found you gone, and came. What did you expect would become of you out here in the night?”
“Loose my hand,” cried Julia angrily; “I will not come back.”
“Indeed, but you will, little wifie. There, it’s of no use to struggle; you are mine, and must.”
“Julia, hold by me,” cried Mrs Hallam frantically. “Help!”
“Hah!”