"We don't want toads like Gard running off with any of our Sark girls, do we, Peter?"
"No," said Peter.
"Mr. Gard had better look out for himself or take himself off before somebody does it for him. There's plenty wouldn't mind giving him a crack on the head and slipping him over the Coupée some dark night."
As to such extreme measures Peter offered no opinion. He looked vaguely round the big kitchen as though in search of something that used to be there, and said—
"How about supper?"
CHAPTER XIV
HOW THEY WENT THROUGH THE DARKNESS OF THE NARROW WAY
One dark night Gard sauntered down the cutting towards the Coupée, enjoying a last pipe before turning in.
This had become something of a habit with him. The people of Plaisance, hard at work all day in the fields, went early to bed and left him to follow when he pleased. And to stand securely in that deep cleft, just where the protecting walls broke off short and left the narrow path to waver on into the darkness, was always fascinating to him.