Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/131

Rh some, I 'll help you look for it. I would n't mind finding a little myself."

"That's all very well for talk. The man has got away from us, but the money does n't run. Now, if you 'll give up that sock, I 'll give you my word of honor"—

"Your word of honor!" exclaimed Hannah scornfully.

"Yes, my word of honor that you won't be troubled any more."

"Oh, we 're not troubled. It's a pleasure to have you here. Won't you take a chair, Mr. Brown? My father and the boys may come home any time now, and I know they 'll be delighted to find you here."

"I know where your father is, and I know where he will be, too, before he's many days older," said Claudius Brown savagely. He was a man in middle life, with huge shoulders and every evidence of great physical strength, though his form was short and ugly. The scars of smallpox were thick on his coarse features, and as he spoke it seemed to Hannah that she had never before looked upon a man so utterly repulsive as he. The expression of rage on his face was so disgusting and threatening that for a moment she heeded the unspoken appeal of her mother, and resolved