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Lapelle wuz to meet 'em down the river acrosst from Le Grange, so I was figgerin' on findin' him there an' tellin' him whut had happened an' fer him to make his escape down the river while he had setch a good start. I wuzn't goin' to let him be ketched an' at the same time I wuzn't goin' to let anything happen to Miss Violy Gwyn ef I could help it.
Gwynne, for one reason er 'nother, an' it must ha' been a mighty good reason, 'cause from what I know about Barry Lapelle he allus knows which way he's goin' to leap long before he leaps. He's sorter like a painter in that way." Kenneth, knowing that he meant panther when he said painter, was properly impressed. "It is very strange," he said, frowning.
There was no sign of either human or animal life in the depths of this wide, primeval forest. "Follow this road," said Lapelle, pointing straight ahead. "It will take you into the town. You will find the bridge over Durkee's Run somewhat shaky after the rain, but it is safe. I must leave you here. I shall no doubt see you at Johnson's Inn, in case you intend to stop there. Good morning, sir."
Lapelle rode up at this instant and, throwing the bridle rein to a boy who had come running up from the stable, dismounted quickly. He came straight to Gwynne, smiling cordially. "I see you beat me in. After we parted I decided to cut through the woods to have a look at Jack Moxley's keel boat, stuck in the mud on this side of the river.
I mean Barry Lapelle. He " "When did you hear of this?" she interrupted quickly. "After the Revere came in?" "More than a week ago. He came home on the Revere to-day. His plan is to " "I know. I saw him. We quarrelled. It is all over between us, Kenny. He was furious. I thought he may have but you say you knew of this a week ago? I don't I can't understand it.
"Go!" thundered the other, his hands twitching. "If you don't, I'll strangle the life out of you." Lapelle drew back, quailing before the look in Kenneth's eyes. He saw murder in them. "You didn't give me a chance, damn you," he snarled. "You hit me before I had a chance to " "I wish to God I had hit you sooner, and that I had killed you," grated Kenneth.
"May I inquire why you have been following me, Mr. Stain?" "Well, I jest didn't know of anybody else I could come to about a certain matter. It has to do with that feller, Lapelle, up yander in Trentman's place. Fust, I went up to Mrs. Gwyn's house, but it was all dark, an' nobody to home 'cept that dog o' her'n. He knowed me er else he'd have jumped me.
If Lapelle heard all of this he gave no sign, for he had sidled over to the little window and was peering obliquely through the trees toward the road that led from the "shanty" toward the town. Suddenly he turned upon the gambler, a savage oath on his lips. "You bet I'll come back! And when I do, I'll give this town something to talk about. I'll make tracks now. It's the only thing to do.
"I will leave this town when I feel like it, Gwynne," said Lapelle, drawing himself up. "I don't take orders from you. You will hear from me later. You've got the upper hand now, with that nigger of yours standing over there holding an axe in his hands, ready to kill me if I make a move. We'll settle this in the regular way, Gwynne, with pistols.
Vaguely he remembered the swift rush of Viola's feet as she sped past him, but that was long ago and he had not looked to see whither she fled. She was now coming down the steps of the porch, a half-raised rifle in her hands. He was never to forget her white, set face, nor the menacing look in her eyes as she advanced to the killing of Barry Lapelle, for there was no mistaking her purpose.
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