“Easily. Unloosen these cords, restore my weapons, and I will believe that you are a true, earnest friend.”
“So that you might kill my father?”
“No. I would not harm him unless he first attacked me. Then I would defend myself.”
“He would kill me!”
“With me you would be safe. I will take you to any point you wish, or, if you would rather, my mother will welcome you to her home.”
Their gaze met, but only for a moment, then the eyes of the strange girl sunk, and a low sigh fluttered her lips. The face of the young hunter, though open and earnest, had not told her the tale she wished and hoped to hear.
“You asked my father about your friends. He gave you to understand that they were dead. One of them still lives.”
“What—Fannie—” eagerly began Ned, his dark eyes gleaming.
“No—the young man,” and Lola’s face turned a shade paler.
“Merciful God!” groaned Campbell, quivering with intense heart-agony.