"Two men are dead, who perhaps desired life. And one who desired death
still lives. What meaning would you have?"
The blankness of her face astonished him. For a brief instant he felt
something akin to genuine horror. What could have happened to
transform the lithe, innocent creature of so few days before? But the
thought could not penetrate deeply, for now the smaller man had begun
to speak.
"You see, Captain, it's just as I told you." He spoke rapidly, eyes
wide and shifting with the obvious lie. "She `ates us. Set a trap for
us she did, acting all seductive like. Then her man jumps down from
the rocks---"
"You shut your mouth!" cried Purceville bitterly. He had seen Mary's
torn dress, and knew how much faith to place in the character of these
men. "Get out of here," he said. "Back to the barracks. And God help
you when I return."
The small man rode off in haste, but did not go where he was sent. As
he struck the high road he turned to the south instead, and fled into
obscurity.
The Englishman dismounted and came closer.
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