I stepped forward and stood before him, having first made a sign to Jack.
“James Redpath,” I said; “surely it must be James Redpath?”
He started, and looked at me with a surly scowl, but said nothing. The name (of course I used his real name) seemed to remind him of something, but there was no recognition in his eyes. “Don’t you remember Bob Easterley?” I said. He looked at me and then his eyes wandered. There was a muddled, wicked look [162] ]about him, such as you will sometimes see in the eyes of a very bad-tempered man when he is drunk. “Don’t you remember Penruddock?” I said, again of course using the real name. He started again, and I thought he brightened, but it was a queer sort of brightening.
“Penruddock?” he said. “Penruddock and Bob Easterley
: curse him and curse the little beggar!” And then he gave a nasty laugh. His voice was thick, like the voice of a man half stupefied with drink or suffering from active brain disease. I thought at first that the name Penruddock had awakened no recollection in his mind, but that he mistook it for the name of a man. Since then, however, I have thought that perhaps “the little beggar” was the boy that he was cruel to, and that the name of Penruddock had reminded him of the matter. Anyhow he turned and looked steadily at me and said slowly, “Oh, so the governor has got you; I wish you joy of the governor.” And then he laughed a coarse, harsh kind of laugh. It was not loud, and there was not much expression in it, but what there was was cruel. Then he made as if to pass us, and we let him pass: there was nothing to be got out of him. I am not absolutely sure to this day whether he was James Redpath or not.
That night Jack and I talked long and earnestly. I [163] ]told him as I have told you my latest thoughts about the matter, and then we talked of our engagements for the coming day.
Wilbraham. There’s a crisis near, Bob. It is as likely to come to-morrow as not.
Easterley. How do you think it will come?
Wilbraham. Well, this way. Davelli, I think, overrates the power that he has contrived to get over you. The disappointment you speak of, and your distrust of him and resolve against him have somehow checked the effect of his action on your will, and he does not know that. Not knowing it, he will reveal some villainy to you to-morrow. You will revolt and he will try to kill you. If you are on your guard you may escape yet. The minute you defy him shoot him through the body.
Easterley. What harm will that do him?