Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/136

MY LADY OF THE SOUTH each other on the table. He was evidently struggling with a temper hard to control. "It will be merely a matter of form," I endeavored to explain. "We know of your sympathy with this outlaw, and I shall be only too glad to relieve you of all suspicion of harboring him."

"Oh, you do know that, do you, you young whipper-snapper. If I could use my legs I'd throw you out that window." He stopped suddenly, glaring about as though in search of some weapon; then gazed helplessly into the face of the young girl.

"I'm an old man—an old man," he confessed slowly, his voice rumbling. "I could have fought you once, but not now. Go on, and search the house; you are safe enough alone, with only a paralytic and two women to oppose you. Lord! but I wish Donald was here."

The girl stepped back, her cheeks flushed from excitement, and touched my sleeve with her hand.

"Come," she said softly, "he will only become more irritable if we remain, and the sooner your search is completed the better."

In the hall without I endeavored to read her eyes, but she avoided looking at me, apparently merely eager to finish, as soon as possible, a disagreeable task.

"Miss Lucille has not left her room yet. Lieutenant, but I have sent her word, and the upper portion of the house will be prepared for your inspection by the time we have finished the lower. With the exception of the library, where you have already been, these rooms are all [ 126 ]