"I sought you there to-night on this very errand," replied the wily Sir
Willmott, "but you were absent."
"Still I repeat, you know where to find me. And now for my parting
words. Observe, I dread no meeting with any; you have more reason to
tremble than I have, if all were known. But now--see that no harm happen
to the Cavalier, who, but an hour since, occupied this chamber; for, by
the God of heaven! if but a hair of his head fall to the earth, I will
hunt you to your own destruction! Never tell me that you have no power,
no control, over him or his destiny. All I say is,--see to it. It would
be better that you had been drowned, like a blind kitten, at your birth,
than that any harm happened to Walter De--De--De----" Dalton looked
confused, then, recovering himself, he glanced a fierce look at Sir
Willmott, and commenced his descent from the window, muttering, "Devil!
I forgot his name; couldn't he have taken an English one? D--n all
foreigners!" With this John-Bullish exclamation, which seems so natural
to the natives of "Old England," the Skipper reached the ground. Nor was
Robin long in following his example: he cared not to tarry Sir
Willmott's questioning, and touched the earth sooner than his friend,
inasmuch as he sprang down, when midway, with his usual agility.
They had not gone three steps on their path when Sir Willmott's voice
arrested their progress.
"Hist, Dalton! hist!--here is the youth's cloak--put it on, good Dalton,
the night is raw; here it goes. Well caught, Robin; make the Captain put
it on; you can return it to the Cavalier when you see him, which you
doubtless will, and soon--I entreat you put it on. The path by the lake
leads straight to the Gull's Nest. I wish, Robin, you could tarry here
till morning--I shall want you on business of importance."
Robin shook his head in denial. Dalton threw the cloak over his
shoulder, and almost mechanically took the path that Burrell had pointed
out. Sir Willmott immediately withdrew from the window. They had not
gone more than a hundred yards when Robin looked back towards the house,
and, by the light of the moon, caught a glimpse of the Master of
Burrell, as if intent on their movements. He at the time took no notice
of this to the Buccaneer, but they no sooner arrived at a spot where the
branches of the trees overshadowed their path, than Robin plucked the
cloak from the shoulders of his companion.