Part 10 (2/2)
Robertson waited to hear no h the house for the veranda steps
”What was it?” asked the frightened woether in the doorway
”I don't know,” Eustace answered--”a black-fellow of some sort I wonder if I--I killed him”
There had fallen a sudden silence outside; the awful howling had ceased
Eustace sat down on the edge of hissick and shi+very To have killed a man--a white fellow, black-fellow, any sort of fellow; it was horrible!
The most extraordinary sounds arose froone mad, or what could be the matter with him?
”Ho-ho-ho! ha-ha-ha! ho-ho-ho-ho!” he roared
Every one stood as if paralyzed There was sohter It see and unkind
Robertson appeared at the broken
”Upon my word, Eustace,” exclaimed the Scotsman, ”it's the best joke ever I heard or saw Come and look at your black-fellow and be proud of yourself”
”I can't!” said Eustace, his knees knocking together as he attempted to stand, and he fell back on the bed
”Oh, what is it, Mr Robertson?” asked Mrs Orban
”Why, it's nothing but athat must have prowled up to the house in search of food,” Robertson said ”You marked him well--I will say that for you, Eustace He was dead before I could reach the steps”
”Thank God it was not a huo!” cried Eustace, sitting up suddenly with a perplexed expression in his eyes ”Then who fired the first shot? I mean the one that woke me”
The relief faded fro question, an uncomfortable reflection that the first shot had not been accounted for
”Yes, by the way,” she said, ”there was that other shot It seehtened out of my wits I was thankful to see him safe and sound a minute later”
”I heard two shots distinctly,” Robertson said, looking grave; ”but of course I fancied Eustace had fired twice at the dingo”
”Not I,” said Eustace ”I never saw the beast till I caainst theand looked like a hu”
”H'm,” said Robertson ”It strikes me I had better have a look round Just stay here till I come back”
The women all looked scared It was not a pleasant idea that the person who fired that first shot was possibly lurking about somewhere in the shadows They listened breathlessly as Robertsona fresh cole Mrs Robertson was dreadfully upset, and held her two children close; the ether in a corner Mrs Orban stood, revolver in hand, near Becky's bed with such quiet dignity that somehow Eustace was steadied
The chances were that, finding himself hunted by Robertson, the man would try to effect an escape on to the veranda this way as a short cut to the steps
If the visitor were the saht before, it was all ireeable night raid ht be repeated