For before him, writ fairly forth in black and white, was a horrible and utterly baseless accusation, purporting to be sworn to by Ann Serrup, and witnessed by Hemans, the machine agent of Brixton.
The witness had signed his name prematurely before Ann, and had written faintly in pencil “Sign here” for her benefit and guidance.
Lanty gathered the import of the papers and put them securely in his pocket.
He was just opposite a thicket of wild plums, shooting up through them was a slim and lithe young hickory. Lanty flung the roan’s bridle over a fence fork, cut the young hickory, and remounting went on his way. Only he turned away from Dole, and proceeded slowly towards Brixton, and presently, just as he entered the shadow of Ab Ranger’s wood by the roadside, he saw a blaze-faced sorrel appear round the bend and he rejoiced, for he knew that his enemy was given into his hand....
Hemans was sorely bruised when Lanty flung him from him with a final blow and a final curse. He tossed aside the short fragment of the young hickory which remained in his grasp.
Lanty’s fury had lent him strength, and he had well-nigh fulfilled the promise made in the first generosity of rage to thrash Hemans “within an inch of his life.”
“And now,” said Lanty, addressing Hemans with a few words unavailable for quotation. “And now, open your lips if you dare! If you so much as mention my name, I’ll cram the words and your teeth down your throat. Remember, too, that I have something in my pocket which would send you where you’d have less chance to prowl. And, mind you, don’t try to take it out of Ann Serrup. If you do I’ll finish your business once for all. Paugh! Vermin like you should be knocked on the head out of hand. If I stay I’ll begin on you again——.” Lanty swung himself up on the roan.
“Don’t make any mistake as to my intentions,” he called over his shoulder. “I’ve given you one warning, but you won’t get two.”
Hemans lay groaning upon the ground, and just about that time Ann, having dressed her baby in the white pinafore Mabella had sent, came to her door, and, leaning against it, looked forth at the morning.
She thought of Hemans and the papers.