“This”—and he bent his evil-eyed face close to hers—“promise to marry me three months from now.”
She gave a gasping cry, and sank back upon her seat. He followed and stood over her, and then spoke quickly—
“Ever since I first saw you I have loved you. You are a free woman now, and I shall have a good position at the settlement.”
She made a gesture of horror, and his voice grew savage and threatening. “And unless you make me that promise I'll give the alarm now, and Adair and his confederates shall hang together. Come, think, and decide quickly—their life or death rests in your hands.”
For some moments she bent her gaze upon the pinched and sunken features of her dying child; then she raised her head, and a swift gleam of fire came into her eyes.
“I will do as you wish. Now go.”
Without a word Bolger turned and left the cabin.
As he walked quickly through the main cabin he did not see the tall figure of Sergeant Matthews standing a few feet aft from Mrs. Clinton's cabin-door. The moment Bolger disappeared the sergeant tapped and called—
“Mrs. Clinton!”
A new terror beset her as she recognised the sergeant's voice; but she bravely stifled it and bade him come in.