“Keep all that till I’ve finished,” Will said coolly. “Maybe you won’t be so ready then. Well, I used his brand, and set a bunch of cattle running amongst his––McLagan’s cattle, as you know. Then I waited for developments. They came––oh, yes, they came. Jim was the cattle-thief. I the lucky gold prospector. Good, eh?” He laughed heartily.
“But, say, I was still a fool,” he went on, after a slight pause. “I was still sweet on you. Then I heard every time Jim came into the village he’d always call to see you. That set me mad––so mad you came mighty near to passing in your checks, and Jim too. I’m glad those things didn’t happen now. Y’see, I didn’t reckon on Elia. I’d forgotten him. That imp of hell can hate, and it was me he hated, eh? Y’see, I’ve heard how he tracked me. I hear most things doing in Barnriff. Then you did your fool stunt sending Jim out to warn me. He got me clear, and––and I hate him worse for it; but not so bad as I hate you now. I see how it was done. I’m no fool. Jim did it for you, and I guess you’ll pay his price. That’s how you’re both thinking. But you won’t. They’re goin’ to hang him. There’s only one person who can put them wise about this cattle stealing, that’s Elia. And I’m going to kill him to-night. That’s why I came in––that an’ to get money. When I’ve finished him I’ll see to you–––”
But Eve was on her feet in a frenzy of horror and fear for the brother she loved. All her mother’s instinct was roused to a fighting pitch.
“You shan’t touch him!” she cried fiercely. “You shall kill me first! I swear it! Oh, you wretched murderer! You filth! Ha, ha––nobody but Elia knows. 322 Peter knows, and––and others. You touch Elia, and I swear you shan’t escape!”
“Peter knows, eh? Ho, ho, my girl,” the man mocked. Then he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter––not a little bit. What I’m going to do will be done to-night. Elia will get his med’cine, and then I’ll come back, and––well, you shan’t get a chance of paying Jim his price. Oh, no,” as Eve opened her lips to speak again, “I’ll take no chances. I’ll leave you safe here. I could settle you first, but I want you to know your beloved brother is dead before––you join him. Get my meaning? You see, Peter and those others knowing have altered my plans some. You’ll join your angel brother when I come back.”
He had been bending over her, to impress his cruel words upon her more forcibly. Now he suddenly straightened up and snatched some dress material from the table. Before the wretched woman was aware of his intentions he had flung it over her head. She tried to scream, but instantly he had her by the throat with one hand and choked her cries back. With the other he thrust the cloth into her mouth till she was effectually gagged. Then he secured it in place with a long binding of braid. But the moment this was done, and he released her throat, she began to struggle violently, and he was forced to exert all his strength to crush her down into the chair. Here he knelt on her, while he lashed her hands together, and then her feet. Then he tied the two bindings together, so that her arms were locked immovable round her knees. Now, at his leisure, he took the table cover and securely bound her into the chair.
This accomplished, he stood up and surveyed his 323 handiwork carefully. He was breathing hard with his exertion. Yes, she was well secured, and he smiled sardonically. He watched her thus for some moments. Then he glanced round the darkened room. It was the haunted look of the man engaged in crime.
Suddenly he stepped softly to her side, and, stooping, lifted the cloth with which she was gagged from before the upper part of her face. He looked into the hunted, terrified eyes and grinned. Then he put his lips close to one of her ears.
“Now I’m going to the bluff out back to––kill your brother, your beloved Elia. Then I’m coming back to––kill you,” he whispered. And the next moment he was gone.