“I did not know that Redmore was a murderer or a burglar.”
“Who can say but, having been an incendiary, he may go on to murder and plunder; these things run together. One who can commit arson is capable of doing the other crimes as well. I shall have to drive back to Ashburton alone.”
“Kitty returns with you.”
“What help is there in Kitty? That fellow Roger, full of rage and desire of revenge, is about the woods, and may shoot me.”
“He has not a gun.”
“He may spring upon me with his axe.”
“He has thrown it away,” said Kate.
“You mind your own concerns,” exclaimed the angry man, turning on his niece. “There are plenty of ways in which he may fall on me and murder me, and then he will pick my pockets and make off in my clothes, and Kitty will help him.”
“You are talking nonsense, Pasco. Are you such a weakling that you cannot defend yourself? But, pshaw! the man will not injure you.”
“He will steal by night to Coombe. His wife is there; his children are there. He knows where I am. He has sworn revenge against me.”