“Gone to join Mr Gunson and a party of men I suppose,” said Grey, slowly.
“Mr Gunson? Back?” I said wonderingly, but with a chill of dread spreading through me as I spoke. “What is he doing there?”
“Busy with the others. They have set up camp, and are washing for gold.”
I glanced at Mr Raydon, whose eyes were fixed on me, and I saw a furious look of anger gathering in his face, while Esau backed slowly toward the door.
“This is your doing, sir. Here, you—stop! don’t sneak away like that, and leave your companion in the lurch.”
“Wasn’t going to sneak away,” said Esau, surlily. “Go away then, you miserable coward. Well, Mayne Gordon, I hope you are satisfied. Is this your gratitude?”
I fully expected these words, but I was not prepared to answer him, and in the rush of his indignant accusation my defence was swept down, and I could only stammer out—
“You are mistaken, sir.”
“No,” he cried, “I am not mistaken. I told you when you made that unlucky discovery I wished to keep all the wild gold-seeking scoundrels away from my peaceful happy valley; and in spite of all I have done to welcome you for my sister’s sake, you give me evil for good.”
“Indeed you are wrong, sir; I have not told a soul,” I cried.