“Those are I seek,” the man repeated; “yes, yes, yes; there are five of them, but you need not hunt, my lord. One of them lies dead and buried where you last saw him, and the others are scattered through the mountains.”
The ranger would have been surprised had he known how truthfully the man had spoken, whether gifted with the power of second sight or not.
Solomon Strange was silent for a moment, then he continued:
“I see you doubt my words, my lord, for you do not know whether I speak the truth or not; but, try me—ask me other questions—such as you will know whether I answer truthfully, truthfully, my lord.”
“Then tell me for what I seek those persons, or something touching my past.”
“I can tell you something of both, of both, my lord,” said the man, closing his sunken eyes and grasping the knotted staff in both hands.
“In the first question I see a beautiful girl, with golden ringlets and soft blue eyes. Ay, do I not, my lord, do I not?”
The ranger started with surprise. Before he could speak, Strange continued:
“Yes, yes, it is so, my lord; I see the answer upon your flushed face; and now your past, your past, my lord. Ay, it is gloomy, gloomy. I see trouble and sorrow in the ‘crow’s feet’ about your eyes, your eyes, do I not?”
“Never mind; go on, go on,” replied the ranger, with a strange curiosity.