Now that animal resented his intrusion, and for a moment it appeared
that the brute's master did also. Will had already seen Grimbal where he
sat, and came swiftly towards him.

"What are you doing here, William Blanchard? You're trespassing and you
know it," said the landowner loudly. "You can have no business here."

"Haven't I? Then why for do'e send me messages?"

Will stood straight and stern in front of his foe. His face was more
gloomy than the sombre afternoon; his jaw stood out very square; his
grey eyes were hard as the glint of the east wind. He might have been
accuser, and John Grimbal accused. The sportsman did not move from his
seat upon the log. But he felt a flush of blood pulse through him at the
other's voice, as though his heart, long stagnant, was being sluiced.

"That? I'd forgotten all about it. You've taken your time in obeying
me."

"This marnin', an' not sooner, I heard what you telled her when you
catched Phoebe alone."

"Ah! now I understand the delay. Say what you've got to say, please, and
then get out of my sight."

"'T is for you to speak, not me. What be you gwaine to do, an' when be
you gwaine to do it? I allow you've bested me, God knaws how; but
you've got me down. So the sooner you say what your next step is, the
better."

The older man laughed.

"'T isn't the beaten party makes the terms as a rule."

"I want no terms; I wouldn't make terms with you for a sure plaace in
heaven. Tell me what you be gwaine to do against me. I've a right to
knaw."

"I can't tell you."

"You mean as you won't tell me?"

"I mean I can't--not yet. After speaking to your wife I forgot all about
it. It doesn't interest me."

"Be you gwaine to give me up?"

"Probably I shall--as a matter of duty. I'm a bit of a soldier myself.
It's such a dirty coward's trick to desert. Yes, I think I shall make an
example of you."

Will looked at him steadily.

"You want to wake the devil in me--I see that. But you won't. I'm aulder
an' wiser now. So you 'm to give me up? I knawed it wi'out axin'."

"And that doesn't wake you?"

"No. Seein' why I deserted an' mindin' your share in drivin' me."

Grimbal did not answer, and Will asked him to name a date.

"I tell you I shall suit myself, not you. When you will like it least,
be sure of that. I needn't pretend what I don't feel. I hate the sight
of you still, and the closer you come the more I hate you. It rolls
years off me to see your damned brow