"
"Well," said Ferris, "if you would like to hear of a more serious
offense, I'll oblige you."
Dane's finger closed on his arm. "If you attempt to tell me, I'll
break your head for you."
Next moment Ferris was lifted from his chair, and in less than ten
minutes Dane thrust him into the wagon, where another man, who passed
a hand through his arm, sat beside him. It was a very long drive to
the railroad, but few words were exchanged during it, and when they
reached the settlement one of Ferris's companions mounted guard
outside the hotel he found accommodation in, until the Montreal
express crawled up above the rim of the prairie. Then both went with
him to the station, and as the long cars rolled in Dane turned
quietly to the lad.
"Now, I am quite aware that we are incurring some responsibility, so
you need not waste your breath," he said. "There are, however,
lawyers in Winnipeg, if you fancy it is advisable to make use of
them, and you know where I and Macdonald are, if you want us. In the
meanwhile, your farm will be run better than ever if was in your
hands, until you dispose of it. That is all I have to tell you,
except that if any undesirable version of the affair gets about,
Courthorne or I will assuredly find you."
Then there was a scream of the whistle, and the train rolled away
with Ferris standing white with fury on the platform of a car.
In the meanwhile Maud Barrington spent a sleepless night. Ferris's
taunt had reached its mark, and she realized with confusion that it
was the truth he spoke.
Pages:
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235