"Only take care," said he, "that it isn't a clog or a boy that comes out of the bushes."
"What if I shoot you?" she said.
"You can't shoot me, any more than you can shoot yourself. I shall go up the hill a bit to overlook you, and if it should be a dog, I'll shout out before you murder him."
Here the long, low, steady call of Spiegelmann's horn was heard, with Hermann's reply.
"When the next horn calls, you may begin to look out. Hold out your hand."
She held out her right hand, wonderingly, and showed him the small white fingers.
"It is quite steady; but your heart beats."
"It generally does," she said, with a smile. "It is a weakness, I know, but——"
Here the fine anticipatory flourish of the keeper's bugle again came echoing through the trees. Will gave over the gun to her, told her to take time and not be afraid, and then retired somewhat farther up the hill. He ensconced himself behind a tall grey pine, whence, without being seen, he could command a view of the entire length of brushwood, and of Miss Brunel in her place of concealment.
"If she only remains cool," he thought, "she is certain to be successful."