stanter on my word. He's got
a army revolver and that he'll use if you don't take the first step
yourself."

I looked at Joshua and felt a lot puzzled about his yarn. Fear I did not
feel, because them that was in the War know it not in peace. But for a
moment my mind was took off Bond by Owlet himself, and I couldn't somehow
feel his story had the ring of truth about it. In fact I told him so, and
he swore a barrow-load of oaths that it was only too true.

"I've told you," he said, "and I've worked for you in this matter, Morris,
and hid myself and hoodwinked the wily devil till he believed I was with
him heart and soul. But if you don't believe me I can do nought. All I say
is that the man is well aware how only you stand between him and Jenny,
and he'll do you in next Wednesday so sure as you're born, if you don't
watch out."

"Never heard anything so interesting, Joshua," I said, "but whether I
believe you or not, I can't be sure. However, fear nought. If I could get
through the War, I ain't likely to go down afore this damned rogue. And
forewarned is forearmed. I'll keep my weather eye lifting on Wednesday, be
sure of that much."

"Have you got a revolver?" he asked.

"I've got my old war revolver," I said, "and it will be in my pocket when
I go out for my health."

"I hope your health won't suffer, then," he told me.

I left him after that and went home. Jenny was friendly enough and Tom
Bond was so meek and mild that butter wouldn't have melted in his mouth.
So the time passed till Wednesday and the footman was off for his
afternoon out; and at my usual hour, forbidding Jenny to seek me that
afternoon, I went my way. We were quiet for the minute with a week between
guns at Oakshotts. A still evening with the reds in the sky and frost
promising. My thoughts were difficult, because the more I turned over what
Owlet had told me, the more mad it sounded; but I couldn't get any line on
Bond and I couldn't get any line on Jenny, though I had a fancy she was
pretty miserable and inclining a bit more towards me. For that walk,
however, I concentrated on self-preservation, because if the man really
thought to slay me, 'twas up to me to get in first, of course. So I went
mighty wary when I came to the trees, and being blessed with amazing good
long sight, used it. And I also pricked my ears and had my gun in my
pocket and my hand upon it. A shot I heard, but it was dull and far off
and didn't sound no ways different