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Updated: May 10, 2025
This dog's displays of sudden temper were as unaccountable as they were fierce. "What are you going to do to-day?" she asked, as her brother did not speak and the dog quietened. "Going over to Iredale's place. Why?" "When shall you return?" "Don't know." Hervey turned; his pistol was pointing towards his sister. "Well, what about the 'thresher'? You and Andy were going to get it Look out!"
His eyes were still upon the paper. The silence of death reigned in the room. Even the storm seemed suddenly to have ceased; only was there the incessant swish of the torrential rain outside. "That is the clue poor Leslie gave me." "Ah!" "What do you think?" "You must give me time to think." Iredale's mouth was parched. His voice sounded strange in his own ears.
Iredale's money-bags should surely be opened for him that night before he returned home. He would levy a heavy toll for his silence. His great dark eyes, so indicative of the unrestrained nature which was his, burned with deep, cruel fires as he gazed out upon the scene. There was a profoundness, a capacity for hellishness in their expression which scarcely belonged to a sanely-balanced mind.
Without hesitation he told himself that they had not seen spectres marching in procession through the mysterious graveyard, but real, live, human beings. What, he asked himself, was the meaning of it? What strange occupation was George Iredale's in this lonely valley? Where was Iredale now? Where did he go to when he moved out of the district on business, and what was the nature of the business?
"Owl Hoot." "River'll stop it" "Yes." "Good." Prudence went on writing. "Iredale's ranch burnt out?" The girl started. "Don't know." "Must be." "Oh!" Then: "Here you are; and do you mind if I wait for an answer?" "Pleasure." And the man read the message "To Hervey Malling, Northern Union Hotel, Winnipeg. "Return at once. Money awaiting you. Willing to pay the price on your arrival.
And when it was finished he idled the time away smoking one of Iredale's best cigars with the utmost enjoyment. He watched the shadows grow and deepen.
Only his eyes changed their expression, but this was lost upon Hervey, for they were half closed. "I don't think I quite understand. Will you explain?" The rancher spoke very deliberately, his voice was well modulated but cold. Hervey laughed boisterously to cover a slight nervousness. This attitude of Iredale's was embarrassing. He had anticipated something different.
"The money I am going to have before I leave here to-night." "Ah! blackmail. I thought so." Iredale's contempt was biting. "Call it what you like, Mr. George Iredale. I tell you this, you are in my power and you will have to buy my silence. You like plain speaking; and now you've got it. Refuse compliance, and I leave here to expose you." "Pooh," said Iredale, leisurely turning to the window.
Then Prudence spoke. "You will stay to tea?" Iredale pulled himself together. "No, I think not. The storm has passed, the rain is ceasing. I had better hurry back home. It will come back on us the storm, I mean." The girl looked out of the window. "Yes, I think it will. Oh, I forgot to tell you. Hervey went over to see you this afternoon." Iredale's eyes turned sharply upon the girl.
He saw ahead of him the possibilities of furthering his own interests, and he revelled in the thought of George Iredale's wealth. The despicable methods he was adopting troubled him not in the least. Iredale should pay dearly if his work partook of the nature of crime. Hervey entertained no friendship for any one. The greed of gold was his ruling passion.
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