Page:Rowland--The Mountain of Fears.djvu/205

  " 'The Count, who was below, sent word asking him to descend, which he did, with a curt salutation to me. He was a blackguard of direct methods, was Stewart, employing the weight of his vitality to project his purpose and driving it to the mark with sheer physical force; with him logic filled the place of imagination.

"He entered that cabin and confronted the outraged husband precisely as if their relative situations had been reversed—certainly a cool hand, utterly fearless and indifferent to possible redress.

"The Count regarded him mildly. I was amazed at his composure.

I suppose you are looking for your wife,' said Stewart, bluntly.

" 'Monsieur is correct,' replied the Count, politely, but I saw a shadow cross his face. It was evident that his sensitive nature found the other's manner offensive.

" 'Then I'll fetch her back,' said Stewart. 'She won't come without.' [ 189 ]