Page:Rowland--The Mountain of Fears.djvu/204

   shoot for a bad-tempered woman, no matter how beautiful,' he added, thoughtfully.

"I returned to the schooner and told the Count I thought that we would find them in Zamboanga; I told him also of the discipline which his wife was under. He looked pensive.

Perhaps it will do her no harm,' said he. 'She is strong as a young donkey, and it may be well for her to lick the paint off her toy.'

"You see, Doctor, he did not love this woman in any sense, conjugal or paternal. He was grieved at her loss, as one might be at the loss of a pretty and interesting pet—a Persian cat—and he was determined to get her back, no matter how large the reward he was compelled to offer. When he got her he might confine, but not punish her. Stewart really was far the more practical of the two.

"Early the following morning we reached Zamboanga, and hardly had the anchor splashed when a boat from the shore shot alongside, and, to my utter amazement whom should I see in the stern but Stewart himself. [ 188 ]