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 the
sort of man for a woman to fret at losing. But woman's taste in man be
like other mysteries, and 'tis no good trying to explain why a nice,
comely she such as his wife had any more use for this black zany.
"Devil--beast!" he yelped at her. "For two pins I'd strangle you! How have
you got the front to dare to breathe the same air with the man you've
outraged and ruined?"
"Do as you please and strangle me and welcome, Nicky; but listen first.
Us'll have everything in order if you please. First read that. Somebody
here--I don't know from Adam who 'twas--wrote to tell me you were working
to Meldon; and that's how I've found you."
He read the letter and grew calmer.
"As to that," he said, "I've told a good few stonemen of my fearful
misfortunes and what I meant to do; and one of 'em has gone back on me and
given my hiding-place away to you; and if I knew which it was, I'd skin
the man alive. But I'll find out."
"So much for that then," answered his wife, "and the next thing be to know
why you are in a hiding-place and what you're hiding from.
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