He gave a low laugh.
"You'd better not," said he, and then motioned him toward the carriage. Gualtier walked on in silence. Obed did not deign to touch his prisoner, nor did Gualtier dare to make any effort to escape. There was no chance now, since that other chance had failed; and, besides, the sight of Obed's revolver was itself sufficient to prevent such an attempt.
"You've showed considerable sense in walking quietly along," said Obed, as they came near to the carriage. "If you'd tried to run it would have been worse for you. You'd have lost a limb, _sure_."
Then Obed stopped, and forced him to look at the ground which they had gone over, and showed what excellent chances he had thrown away.
On reaching the carriage Zillah was calmer, though still greatly excited. She said nothing to Gualtier, nor did the latter venture to look at her. In the flight his wig and hat had fallen off, so that now his hated face was distinctly visible.
Obed put his hand for a moment on Gualtier's shoulder.
"Is this the man?" he asked.
Zillah bowed.
On this Obed made his prisoner get on the front seat of the carriage, and drove rapidly back to the villa.
CHAPTER LXXII.