I did a bit of play-acting
myself, William, and led him on, and though he was cautious as a rat, I
made him think after a bit I was a wrong 'un myself and got his
confidence."
"And how did you do that?" I asked. "And why?"
"I did it by holding out against you and saying I'd sooner my gal had him
than you; and why I did it was because I had dark suspicions. And you can
thank God I had. When he found I was up against Oakshotts and didn't care
for nobody there and took a lawless view of life, he came across with it.
He's a bad lot and have done time, and he's here for no good whatsoever to
Oakshotts. But he's worse than hot stuff, William. He's a dangerous
criminal, and he's going to put you out of his path pretty soon as if you
was no more than a carrion crow, unless you climb down about my daughter."
"Is he?" I said. "And how does he intend to set about it?"
"I've called you here to tell you," answered Owlet. "Only yesterday he let
out his plans and I pretended to applaud 'em. Nobody's easier to wipe out
than you, owing to your regular habits, and on Wednesday next which is his
afternoon off, he'll lie behind a hedge for you and do you in. That's as
sure as death."
I was a good bit amused to hear this tale.
"And what hedge?" I asked.
"He'll shoot you," said Owlet, "and when you go for your walk, you won't
come back. And he'll have his alibi all right and never be suspected, for
that matter.
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