"And now old Dodson,turning pale,Yields to his fate--so ends my tale."It didn't take me long to see why Shelley liked Robert Paget.He was one of the very most likeable persons I ever had seen.We were sitting under the apple tree,growing better friends every minute,when we heard a smash,so we looked up,and it was the sound made by Ranger as Mr.Pryor landed from taking our meadow fence.He had ridden through the pasture,and was coming down the creek bank.He was a spectacle to behold.A mile away you could see that Thomas had told him he had seen Robert,and where he was.Father had been mistaken in thinking Mr.Pryor would go to the house.He had lost his hat,his white hair was flying,his horse was in a lather,and he seemed to be talking to himself.Robert took one good look."Ye Gods!"he cried.
"There he comes now,a chattering madman!"
"The Station,"I panted."Up that ravine!Roll back the stone and pull the door shut after you.Quick!"He never could have been inside,before Mr.Pryor's horse was raving along the embankment beside the fence.
"Where is he?"he cried."Thomas saw him here!"I didn't think his horse could take the fence at the top of the hill,but it looked as if he intended trying to make it,and Ihad to stop him if I could.
"Saw who?"I asked with clicking teeth.
"A tall,slender man,with a handsome face,and the heart of a devil.""Yes,there was a man here like that in the face.I didn't see his heart,"I said.
"Which way?"raved Mr.Pryor."Which way?Is he at your house?"Then I saw that he had the reins in his left hand,and a big revolver in his right.So there was no mistake about whether he'd really shoot.But that gun provoked me.People have no business to be careless with those things.They're dangerous!
"He didn't do what you think he did,"I cried,"and he can prove he didn't,if you'll stop cavorting,and listen to reason."Mr.Pryor leaned over the fence,dark purple like a beet now.
"You tell me where he is,or I'll choke it out of you,"he said.
I guess he meant it.I took one long look at his lean,clawlike fingers,and put both hands around my neck.
"He knew Thomas saw him.He went that way,"I said,waving off toward the north.
"Hah!striking for petticoats,as usual!"he cried,and away he went in the direction of his house.Then I flew for the Station.
"Come from there,quick!"I cried."I've sent him back to his house,but when he finds you're not there,he will come here again.Hurry,and I'll put you in the woodshed loft.He'd never think of looking there."He came out and we started toward the house,going pretty fast.
Almost to the back gate we met Shelley.
"Does mother know?"I asked.
"I just told her,"she said.
"Father,"I cried,going in the back dining-room door."Mr.
Pryor was down in the meadow on Ranger.Thomas did see Robert,and his father is hunting him with a gun.We saw him coming,so I hid Robert in the Station and sent Mr.Pryor back home--I guess I told him a lie,father,or at least part of one,I said he went `that way,'and he did,but not so far as I made his father think;so he started back home,but when he gets there and doesn't find Robert he'll come here again,madder than ever.Oh father,he'll come again,and he's crazy,father!Clear,raving crazy!I know he'll come again!""Yes,"said father calmly."I think it very probable that he will come again."Then he started around shutting and latching windows,closing and locking the doors,and he carefully loaded his gun,and leaned it against the front casing.Then he put on his glasses,and began examining the papers they had brought out again.Robert stood beside him,and explained and showed him.
"You see with me out of the way,the English law would give everything to my cousin,"he said,and he explained it all over again.
"And to think how he always posed for a perfect saint!"cried the Princess."Oh I hope the devil knows how to make him pay for what all of us have suffered!""Child!Child!"cried mother.
"I can't help it!"said the Princess."Let me tell you,Mr.
Stanton."
Then SHE told everything all over again,but it was even more interesting than the way Robert explained it,because what she said was about how it had been with her and her mother.
"It made father what he is,"she said."He would have killed Robert,if our friends hadn't helped him away.He will now,if he isn't stopped.I tell you he will!He sold everything he could legally control,for what any one chose to give him,and fled here stricken in pride,heartbroken,insane with anger,the creature you know.In a minute he'll be back again.Oh what are we going to do?"Father was laying out the papers that he wanted to use very carefully.
"These constitute all the proof any court would require,"he said to Robert."If he returns,all of you keep from sight.This is my house;I'll manage who comes here,in my own way.""But you must be allowed to take no risk!"cried Robert."I cawn't consent to youah facing danger for me.""There will be no risk,"said father."There is no reason why he should want to injure me.As the master of this house,I am accustomed to being obeyed.If he comes,step into the parlour there,until I call you."He was busy with the papers when he saw Mr.Pryor coming.I wondered if he would jump the yard fence and ride down mother's flowers,but he left his horse at the hitching rack,and pounded on the front door.
"Did any of you notice whether he was displaying a revolver?"asked father.
"Yes father!Yes!"I cried."And he's shaking so I'm afraid he'll make it go,when he doesn't intend to."Father picked up and levelled his rifle on the front door.
