w he'd take it; and I found he took it
ugly.

He showed his beautiful teeth and his brow came down and his eyes flashed.

"You'll fire me, I suppose?" he said. "That's the reward of being honest
and straight; and much good that will do you. You won't win her back,
because she's gone, and well you know it; and now you're going to bully me
and rob me of my job."

"Go," I answered the man, "and don't be a fool. If you've lived along with
me for near a year, you well know I bully none. I shan't fire you; but I
order this and no more or less: keep off her till I'm satisfied about you
and satisfied about her. And keep off her father likewise. Joshua Owlet
has got a screw loose where his daughter is concerned and it won't advance
nothing if you go to him. Now be off."

He made no answer, but I pointed to the door and he cleared out.

We were busy at the time and the house full of gentlemen, for it was half
through October and shooting in full swing. So I left it at that for a bit
and avoided Jenny also till her afternoon out; and then I told her we'd
walk together and drink tea at the Wheatsheaf in Little Silver. Which we
did do, and I explained the position and bade her hold off Tom until she
heard me on the subject again. She was a lot cut up about it and poured
scorn on herself and appeared very wishful to please me in the matter; but
there wasn't no more love-making, of course; and to make Jenny understand
the gulf that now separated us, I let her pay for her own tea. I loved her
still most ardent, but I meant for everything to be done decent and in
order; and so far as I am able to see, both of 'em fell in with my wishes
and waited for my future commands.

Then a most amazing thing fell out, and Jenny, who had spent an afternoon
with her father, told me he was very wishful to see me. So I called on the
man and heard news that astonished me a good bit.

Joshua Owlet was changed to the roots! He told me a story that chimed very
close with my own wishes, and for that reason I was tardy to believe it;
but he gave me chapter and verse, and when I heard my own life was got in
danger, I did believe it as the safest course to pursue.

"That Bond is a rogue, William," Joshua began, and he was terrible excited
from the start off.

"I'm inclined to agree with you," I answered, "for he's done a dirty thing
and, so far as I can tell, he's worked very artful to get Jenny away from
me, which no honest man would have set out to