“What are you about, cap’n?” asked Mrs. Kite, coming up hastily.
He turned his head, smiled bitterly, and touched the barrel of his gun.
“When that rock comes down,” he said, “one of those above shall follow it.”
At that moment the block parted from the parent rock, and whirled beneath, followed by a train of dust. It struck the corner of the chimney, sent the stones of which it was built flying in all directions, and crashed through the roof, but left the thorn-bush athwart the gap it had torn.
Before Saltren could discharge his gun, Mrs. Kite struck it up, and he fired it into the air.
“You fool!” she said, and then burst into a harsh laugh. “You find fault with others for doing that you approve yourself. You would undermine Orleigh, and object to Chillacot being overthrown.”
CHAPTER XL.
THE END OF A DELUSION.
Captain Saltren remained motionless, with his gun raised, as it had been struck up by Patience Kite, for several minutes; then he slowly lowered it, and turned his face to her. The troubled expression which of late had passed over it at intervals returned. The jaw was no longer set, and the red spots of anger had faded from his cheeks. The momentary character of decision his face had assumed was gone, and now the lips trembled feebly.
“What was that you said?” he asked.
Patience laughed, and pointed to the crag.