“Double the time. Well, treble it, and still I’ll do it. I gave my word I’d help, and the general shall have the powder, if for nothing else than to spite that dirty coward Bagby though I serve thrice five years for’ t. Tell the lads I’ll lead them, and if they’ll meet me at Drigg’s barn to-morrow evening at ten we’ll scheme out how to do it.”
Without further parley the stranger walked away, and no sooner had the crunch of his boots ceased than Janice came forward.
Charles gave a startled exclamation as she appeared, and caught the girl roughly by the wrist. “Who’s this?” he exclaimed.
“You hurt,” complained Janice.
The bondsman relaxed but not released his hold at the sound of her voice. “You’ve heard all I said?” he demanded.
“Yes. I—I did n’t like to come out while the man was here.”
“And you’ll tell your father?”
“No,” denied the girl. “I did n’t want to listen by stealth, but since I did, I’m no tale-bearer.”
Raising the hand he held by the wrist, Charles kissed it. “I should have known you were no eavesdropper, Miss Janice,” he said, releasing his hold.
“But— Oh, what is it you are going to do?” asked Janice.