“I’ll go with you; or no—Cato shall go with you, and I’ll wait here.”
The Hindu went with Potts, holding his collar in his powerful grasp, and taking care to let Potts see the hilt of a knife which he carried up his sleeve, in the other hand.
After about a quarter of an hour they returned, and Potts handed over to the stranger some papers. He looked at them carefully, and put them in his pocket. He then gave Potts the cord. Potts took it in an abstracted way, and said nothing.
“You must leave this Hall to-night,” said the stranger, sternly—“you and your son. I remain here.”
“Leave the Hall?” gasped Potts.
“Yes.”
For a moment he stood overwhelmed. He looked at John. John nodded his head slowly.
“You’ve got to do it, dad,” said he.
Potts turned savagely at the stranger. He shook his clenched fist at him.
“D—n you!” he cried. “Are you satisfied yet? I know you. I’ll pay you up. What complaint have you against me, I’d like to know? I never harmed you.”