Her grandfather was standing by the well-spring in the courtyard as she entered. His back was toward her, and he failed to mark her light step on the flagstones. A vague foreboding seized the girl; creeping closer, she saw the Lean Man stoop to rinse his hands in the clear stream, and a low cry escaped her as she saw that the water reddened as it ran between his fingers.
Nicholas swung round with a frown, and clapped a hand to the breast of his tightly-buttoned coat.
"What art doing here, lass?" he said roughly.
"I—I have been walking——"
"What, so soon after I bade thee keep so close to home?" said Nicholas, wiping his hands furtively on the lappel of his coat.
She answered nothing for awhile. Then, "How went the hunting?" she asked, with a sudden glance at him.
"Bonnily. I've brought home better flesh, Janet, than Wildwater has seen this score years."
Her forboding took clear shape. Had he met Shameless Wayne on his way home from the kirk-stone? What was it that the Lean Man guarded so carefully at his breast? At all costs she must learn if Ned were safe.
"Where did you kill the quarry?" she whispered, and longed to take back the question for fear of the answer she might get.
"Where? Why, on Cranshaw Rigg—'tis on the Long Wayne's land, thou'lt call to mind," chuckled the Lean Man.