“When? When he escaped?”
“No; before I set the men after him.”
“Before he knew you would hunt him? A probable story!”
“Probable or improbable, it is true. I threatened him, and I would have arrested him, but could not. Kate knows I had him by the throat; but he was armed with his axe, and I could not retain him. Then he swore he would do me an evil turn, and he will keep his word.”
“He cannot harm you; he is afraid for himself.”
“He can harm me. He can do to my house, my stores, what he did to Pooke’s rick.”
“Well, that would not hurt you greatly; you are insured over value.”
“Not over value, with the wool in.”
“You were a fool about that wool, Pasco. Why did you not consult me before dealing with Coaker? I knew of the fall.”
“Oh, you know everything. You knew that the Brimpts oak bark was worth three times more than it is; and now you are felling, without considering that the bark at present is practically worthless.”