him! He was the
first man of the lot she saw, and the shock took her in the breathing
parts and very near dropped her. But she soon found that she'd have to
keep all her wits if she wanted to get Nicky back, and the line she took
from the first showed her a fierce battle of wills lay afore 'em.

It was going round a corner into the mouth of the quarries that she ran
upon Spider wheeling a barrow; and she saw he was but little changed, save
that he looked a good bit dirtier and wilder than of old. His hair was
longer than ever and his eyes shone so black as sloes; and to Jenny's mind
there was a touch of stark madness in 'em without doubt. He was strong and
agile seemingly, and he began to gibber and cuss and chatter like an ape
the moment he catched sight of her. He dropped the barrow and stared, and
his jaw dropped and then closed up again. He drew up to his full height,
which weren't above five foot, five inches, and he screamed with rage and
began his talk with several words I ban't going to write down for anybody.
Then he axed her how in the devil's name she dared to find him out and
stand afore him.

"What do you mean, you vile woman?" he screamed. "Who told you I was here?
I'll tear his heart out when I know who 'twas--and yours also--you hateful
hell-cat!"

"Alive! Alive, thank God! They told me true," she cried. "Oh, Nicky!"

"Not alive to you," he answered. "I'm dead to you for evermore, so you can
be gone again, so soon as you mind to. I know all about you and your
goings on, and I ordain to strike at my appointed time and no sooner. And
them as told you I was here shall suffer in their bones for it! So you
clear out, or I'll pitch you over the quarry with these hands."

He picked up his barrow handles to push past her; but she was three inches
taller than him and so strong as a pony; and she knew when you be along
with a madman you've got to stand firm.

"Put that down and listen to me, Nicky," she said. "I ain't come all this
way and spent eight shillings on a railway ticket and a horse and trap to
be turned down without hearing my voice. Listen you shall--it's life and
death for me, if not for you. I got a 'nonymous letter from a well wisher
saying you was here and that's why I be come."

He heaped curses on her head and made horrible faces at her. He threatened
to murder her on the spot if she went an inch nearer, and he picked up a
great stone to do it with. In fact you'd have said he weren't at all