“Then you won’t see him for three days.” His tone was that of one who communes with himself. “I reckon I’d better stay till to-morrow. I don’t like the feeling of the air.”
She explained that Gage, one of the guides, would return in case the professor wished to remain in the heights.
“Well, I’ll hang around till toward night, anyhow.”
He went away for half an hour, and upon his return presented a cleanly shaven face and a much less savage look and bearing. He hovered about the door, apparently listening to Peggy’s chatter, but having eyes only for the wounded girl. He seized every slightest excuse to come in, and his voice softened and his manner changed quite as markedly, and at last, while Mrs. Adams was momentarily absent, he abruptly said:
“You are afraid of me; I can see it in your eyes. I know why. You think you know who I am.”
“Yes; I’m sure of it.”
“What makes you think so?”
“I saw your picture in the railway station.”
He regarded her darkly. “Well, I trust you. You won’t give me away. I’m not so sure of her.” He nodded his head toward the open door.
“What would be the good of my betraying you?”