itary farm-house, or cottage, on the roadside: the night was
cloudy, and the scud flew fast; Vanslyperken walked on faster, for in
his state of mind he could feel no bodily fatigue, and the lad dropped
astern.

At last the lieutenant found a spot which afforded him an opportunity of
executing his fell purpose. A square wall, round a homestead for
cattle, was built on the side of the footpath. Vanslyperken turned
round, and looked for Smallbones, who was too far behind to be seen in
the obscurity. Satisfied by this that the lad could not see his
motions, Vanslyperken secreted himself behind the angle of the wall so
as to allow Smallbones to pass. He cocked his pistol, and crouched
down, waiting for the arrival of his victim.

In a minute or two he heard the panting of the lad, who was quite weary
with his load. Vanslyperken compressed his lips, and held his breath.
The lad passed him; Vanslyperken now rose from behind, levelled the
pistol at the lad's head, and fired. Smallbones uttered a yell, fell
down on his face, and then rolled on his back without life or motion.

Vanslyperken looked at him for one second, then turned back, and fled
with the wings of the wind. Conscience now appeared to pursue him, and
he ran on until he was so exhausted, that he fell: the pistol was still
in his hand; and as he put out his arm mechanically to save himself, the
lock of the pistol came in violent contact with his temple.

After a time he rose again, feint and bleeding, and continued his course
at a more moderate pace; but as the wind blew, and whistled among the
boughs of the trees, he thought every moment that he beheld the form of
the murdered lad. He quickened his pace, arrived at last within the
fortifications, and putting the pistol in his coat-pocket, he somewhat
recovered himself. He bound his silk handkerchief round his head, and
proceeded to the boat, which he had ordered to wait till Smallbones'
return. He had then a part to act, and told the men that he had been
assailed by robbers, and ordered them to pull on board immediately. As
soon as he came on board he desired the men to assist him down into his
cabin, and then he sent for Corporal Van Spitter to dress his wounds.
He communicated to the corporal, that as he was going out in the country
as he had proposed, he had been attacked by robbers, that he had been
severely wounded, and had, he thought, killed one of them, as the others
ran away; what had become