In a minute the gardener and hostler would be upon me.
I had no time to lose if I meant to make my escape.
And escape I must!
Two or three bounds would certainly carry me outside the circle in which the spring-guns were concealed, if concealed they were.
I gathered my muscles.
The watcher seemed to divine my intentions, for he sternly called:
"Stand still there! If you move, or try to escape, I'll shoot you down. I am not talking idly, but am in grim earnest."
I was satisfied of that from his tone.
But I must escape.
I would risk a shot at me.