Retreating in the shadows of the buildings, he beheld the pack trotting toward the big house. They were just getting clear of the slave-quarters and Sevier ran for the window, knowing it was a matter of seconds. He gained the low sill without the pack sounding an alarm and noiselessly vaulted into the room and let out his pent-up breath in a deep sigh of content.
“And you gave your word!” spoke up a harsh voice.
Peering about, he sought to pierce the darkness but was baffled. He knew it was McGillivray but he could not see him.
“I thought I saw a slinking figure outside. I couldn’t believe it was you. I felt ashamed to come down here to make sure. I believed I was insulting you by coming. Now I find you’ve broken your promise.”
It was on the tip of Sevier’s tongue to deny the accusation hotly, but that would arouse the emperor’s suspicions as to the truth.
“A man may walk about the village without breaking his promise not to leave the village,” he sullenly replied. “Where the devil are you?”
“Walking in the village!” bitterly derided McGillivray. “You started to escape and became frightened at the dogs.”
Sevier said nothing. McGillivray repeated under his breath:
“Frightened at the dogs? Hah! You’ve been trying to find Polcher.”
Still Sevier made no answer. McGillivray opened a door and secured the lighted candle he had left outside. Holding it high, he strode up to the borderer and scanned him closely.