Part 100 (1/2)
”No,” said Quong. ”No. Keep all along. You sabbee?”
”Very well, I'll keep it,” said Mr Raydon; and just then there was a tap at the door.
”Come in.”
Grey entered.
”Want me?”
”Bad news, sir,” said Grey, in a sharp whisper. ”That man from the little valley--Barker he says his name is--”
”Which was Barker?”
”That sensible man you shook hands with.”
”What does he want?”
”Wants to see you, sir. They started that gang down the river with half a dozen armed miners, and they rose against them in the night.”
”Yes,” said Mr Raydon, excitedly. ”Well?”
”They killed two, wounded all the rest, and they are all free again.”
”And their own wounded men?”
”Took them into the woods with them.”
”This is bad news indeed,” said Mr Raydon, beginning to pace the room.
”He wants to know what's to be done,” said Grey.
”I must think--I must think,” said Mr Raydon, hastily. ”Two men away guarding that claim.”
”Yes, sir. Weakens us.”
”Yes,” said Mr Raydon; ”and we must be weakened more. Two of our men must go to strengthen them at the claim. There must be four there.”
”Won't draw them away and give up the claim, sir?”
”No,” said Mr Raydon, firmly. ”Go back to this Mr Barker, and say I'll be with him directly.”
”Yes, sir,” said Grey; and he went out with all the quiet precision of a soldier.
”Bad news--bad news indeed,” said Mr Raydon, half aloud. ”More trouble to lay upon your shoulders, Mayne Gordon. All your fault.”
I felt a chill run through me, and I believe a cold hard look must have come into my face.
”Well, we must make the best of it. Of course you two lads must stop here.”
”If you wish it, sir,” I said, ”we will go directly.”