“Elia’s gone snaring jack-rabbits on the bluff, out back,” she said unsuspiciously. “Shall I light a lamp?”
“No.” His negative came emphatically.
He came round to the stove, and stood looking down at her for some moments. There was a dark, sullen frown 317 in his eyes which might well have suggested possibilities to the most unsuspicious. But she was not suspicious, just then. She was wondering and fearful that he had returned to the village instead of getting away. Why had he come? she asked herself. But her question found no voice.
“Well?” he said at last, with such a sneer that she lifted a pair of startled eyes to his face. Her heart was hammering in her bosom. She had suddenly realized his temper.
“I’m going away,” he said sharply. “I’ve got to get out. I came in for money. Have you got any of my money?”
“All of it.”
“Ah, good. You’re more use than I thought you. How much?”
“Over a thousand dollars.”
Eve’s voice was icy. Her whole attitude seemed almost mechanical. Yet a wild terror was slowly creeping over her, mounting steadily to her brain. Nor was the reason for it quite apparent yet.
The man’s eyes sparkled, and for a moment his frown lightened.