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"What are we coming here for?" growled Spurling, as they stopped at the door of the hall; "why can't we go to the shack? I'm desperately cold and there's a fire there." "I'll light you a fire," said Granger, placing his hands on his shoulders and thrusting him inside. "You're mighty anxious that I shouldn't get near your wife," said Spurling; "she must be very valuable."
"She'll pass astern," was Jim's verdict. "Won't do to drift in front of her." He sculled strongly, keeping an anxious eye on the threatening monster. Percy's hair bristled. "Harder, Jim!" he shouted. "She's going to run us down! Steamer ahoy! Keep off! Keep off!" The rushing foam smothered his cries. Meanwhile Spurling worked like a steam-engine. Two lives hung on his oar-blade.
Without telling him anything of Strangeways' death or entering into any explanation of the reasons for which he was suspected, Granger determined to face, without dispute, the premier fact in the case that he was hunted for his life as was Spurling and to plan for the future with him, as though he were his fellow-criminal in result as well as in intent.
Named him 'Oso'; said it meant 'The Bear. He'll pester ye to death round the fish-house, after he gets acquainted." Putting Nemo on a leash and taking the gun, the boys filed out. Uncle Tom called Jim back. "I almost forgot to tell you to go to Parker's for your outfit. He'll use you right. Who's that pale-faced fellow with the tow head?" Spurling told him briefly about Percy. Uncle Tom grunted.
"Because the prisoner's arrival might disturb you ha! ha!" "I'll lay you twenty guineas you don't take him to-night," rejoined Austin. "Done!" cried Shotbolt. "Mrs. Spurling, you're a witness to the bet. Twenty guineas, mind. I shan't let you off a farthing. Egad! I shall make a good thing of it." "Never count your chickens till they're hatched," observed Mrs. Spurling, drily.
So Granger watched and waited. In Spurling, so soon as he had been fed and cared for, he was quick to discover a change. He had become manlier and braver more like his old self.
Even though he kept silence, any hour Spurling himself might reopen the subject by inquiring after Strangeways, as to whether he had pursued farther, as to how he had fared, as to where he was at present. Granger was by no means certain that he did not already know that the corporal was dead.
"That's what I'm here to find out." "Did Spurling know that she was a woman when he shot her?" "So you know that also that he shot her? Whether he knew, I don't care; the fact remains that she is dead and that he is suspected." "Only suspected?" "Well, . . ." "By God!" cried Granger, bringing down his fist in Strangeways' face, "but you shall tell me!
"Take him up to the camp, boys!" puffed Brittler. The doughty captain had not escaped unscathed. A swollen black eye and a bleeding nose bore eloquent testimony to the force and accuracy of Jim's blows. A guard on each side and another behind were soon propelling Spurling toward the open door. From within came the ceaseless click of a telegraph instrument. Throppy was still calling the cutter.
Well, if that was his purpose, there wasn't much chance of his being followed, or if followed, found. Spurling, having returned from feeding his dogs, had reseated himself by the window, but he had not again spoken. When Granger had informed him that a meal was ready, and had called to him to come and partake, he had only shaken his head.
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