" said Obed, grimly, as he noticed a furtive
glance of Gualtier's. "And you needn't try to get at your revolver.
'Tain't any manner of use, for I've got one, and can use it better
than you, being an American born. You needn't try to walk faster
either," he continued, "for you can't escape. I can run faster than
you, my legs being longer. You don't know the grounds, either, half
so well as I do, although I dare say you've been sneaking about here
ever since I came. Bat let me tell you this, my friend, for your
information. You can't come it over me, nohow; for I'm a free
American, and I always carry a revolver. Take warning by that one
fact, and bear this in mind too--that if I ever see your villainous
face about here again, or if I find you prowling about after me any
where, I swear I'll blow your bloody brains out as sure as my name's
Obed Chute. I'll do it. I will, by the Eternal!"

With such cheerful remarks as these Obed entertained his companion,
or prisoner, whichever he was, until they reached the gate. The
porter opened it for them, and Gualtier made a wild bound forward.
But he was not quick enough; for Obed, true to his promise, was
intent on giving him that last kick of which he had spoken. He saw
Gualtier's start, and he himself sprang after him with fearful force.
Coming up to him, he administered to him one single blow with his
foot, so tremendous that it was like the stroke of a catapult, and
sent the unhappy wretch headlong to the ground.

After doing this Obed calmly went back, and thought for some time on
this singular adventure. He had his own ideas as to the pertinacity
of this man, and attributed it to some desire on his part to
investigate the old affair of the Chetwynde elopement. What his
particular personal interest might be he could not tell, nor did he
care much. In fact, at this time the question of his visitor's
motives hardly occupied his mind at all, so greatly were his thoughts
occupied with pleasurable reminiscences of his own parting salute.

As for Gualtier, it was different; and if his thoughts were also on
that parting salute, it was for some time. The blow had been a
terrible one; and as he staggered to his feet he found that he could
not walk without difficulty. He dragged himself along, overcome by
pain and bitter mortification, cursing at every step Obed Chute and
all belonging to him, and thus slowly and sullenly went down the
road. But the blow of the catapult had been too s