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Do you think they are in danger, dear?" asked Lys, raising her blue eyes to mine as I entered. "There is no wind, and there will be no sea," said I, looking out of the window. Far across the moor I could see the black cliffs looming in the mist. "How it rains!" murmured Lys; "come to the fire, Dick." I threw myself on the fur rug, my hands in my pockets, my head on Lys's knees.
Lys's horse reared, but she pulled him down, and pointed at the bird with her riding crop. "I see," said I; "it seems to be going our way. Curious to see a cormorant in a forest, isn't it?" "It is a bad sign," said Lys. "You know the Morbihan proverb: 'When the cormorant turns from the sea, Death laughs in the forest, and wise woodsmen build boats."
I saw my dog rush growling into a thicket, then I heard him whimper, and he came backing out, whining, ears flat, tail down. I stooped and disengaged Lys's hand. "Don't go, Dick!" she cried. "O God, it's the Black Priest!" In a moment I had leaped across the brook and pushed my way into the thicket. It was empty. I stared about me; I scanned every tree trunk, every bush. Suddenly I saw him.
I wondered, Môme came sneaking out to be comforted, and I forgave him for Lys's sake, whereupon he frisked. "You bounding cur," said I, "now what on earth started you off across the moor? If you do it again I'll push you along with a charge of dust shot."
I evaded the question and hauled out a partridge. "Poor little dead things'" said Lys in a whisper; "it seems a pity doesn't it, Dick? But then you are so clever " "We'll have them broiled," I said guardedly, "tell Catherine." Catherine came in to take away the game, and presently 'Fine Lelocard, Lys's maid, announced dinner, and Lys tripped away to her boudoir.
Môme pushed his head into her lap, received an undeserved caress, and came doubtfully toward me. I was weak enough to condone his offense, but I made him lie down at my feet, greatly to his disgust. I rested my head on Lys's knees, looking up at the sky through the crossed branches of the trees. "I suppose I have killed him," I said. "It shocks me terribly, Lys." "You could not have known, dear.
Before St Lys's time, the family at Mowbray Castle might as well have not existed, as far as benefiting their miserable vicinage. It would be well perhaps for other districts not less wretched, and for other families as high and favoured as the Mowbrays, if there were a Mr St Lys on the spot instead of a Mr Slimsey."
Before I could knock at Lys's door it opened, and Lys came hastily out. When she saw me she gave a little cry of relief, and nestled close to my breast. "There is something peering in at my window," she said. "What!" I cried angrily. "A man, I think, disguised as a priest, and he has a mask on. He must have climbed up by the bay tree." I was down the stairs and out of doors in no time.
"I heard you behind me." Then, moved by a sudden impulse to precipitate matters, he drew his left hand from his pocket. The diamonds flashed in the light. M. de Lys's eyes flashed in response. With all his unabated elegance, he had something the look of a tiger ready to spring upon his prey. But he held himself in check.
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