Page:Hornung - Irralies Bushranger.djvu/161

 still, and in the teeth of the facts, the likelier gentleman of the two.

"They're listening—the two of 'em!" cried Howie, suddenly. "They can 'ear every word; let's get outside."

Stingaree looked round the hut; there was but the one door, and no window save those on either side of it; inner compartment there was none, and the floor was honest earth.

"All right—a few yards," said he. "I tell you, Howie, I mean to have my way; and you know what that means. So let's fix it here on the spot. You may go to the devil or stop where you are. I'll have my way about the girl!"

Howie's reply was inaudible; they were well outside the hut; but before Irralie and Fullarton could exchange more than glances, he was back, and had snatched the ear-trumpet from the deaf man's neck. Dawson turned round with a curse, his face scrubbed by the cord; but Howie was gone, and the other made no attempt to