“I have my reasons,” said Brettison slowly. “Why have you come?”
“You ask me that!”
“Yes. You have hunted me for months now, till my life has been worthless. Have you come to take it now?”
“Why should I take your life?”
“To save your own. You believe I heard or witnessed—that.”
He paused before uttering the last word, and pointed to the door on his left.
Stratton could not suppress a shudder; but, as he saw the peculiar way in which the old man’s eyes were fixed upon his, a feeling of resentment arose within him, and his voice sounded strident and harsh when he spoke again.
“I had no such thoughts,” he said. “You know better, sir. Come, let us understand one another. I am reckless now.”
“Yes,” said Brettison coldly.
“Then, if you have any fear for your life, you can call for help; that is, for someone to be within call to protect you, for what we have to say must be for our ears alone.”