On his way back to the Cross-Triangle, Patches walked as a man who, having determined upon a difficult and distasteful task, is of a mind to undertake it without delay.
After supper that evening he managed to speak to Kitty when no one was near.
"I must see you alone for a few minutes to-night," he whispered hurriedly. "As soon as possible. I will be under the trees near the bank of the wash. Come to me as soon as it is dark, and you can slip away."
The young woman wondered at his manner. He was so hurried, and appeared so nervous and unlike himself.
"But, Patches, I—"
"You must!" he interrupted with a quick look toward the Dean, who was approaching them. "I have something to tell you—something that I must tell you to-night."
He turned to speak to the Dean, and Kitty presently left them. An hour later, when the night had come, she found him waiting as he had said.
"Listen, Kitty!" he began abruptly, and she thought from his manner and the tone of his voice that he was in a state of nervous fear. "I must go; I dare not stay here another day; I am going to-night."
"Why, Patches," she said, forcing herself to speak quietly in order to calm him. "What is the matter?"