Page:Curwood--The Courage of Captain Plum.djvu/181

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

THE HOUR OF VENGEANCE

"I am going to see you safely back in St. James," he declared. "Then I will go to your brother."

She barred his way defiantly.

"You can not go!"

"Why?"

"Because—" He caught the frightened flutter of her voice again. "Because—they will kill you!"

The low laugh that he breathed in her hair was more of joy than fear.

"I am glad you care—Marion." He spoke her name with faltering tenderness, and led her out into the path.

"You must go," she still persisted.

"With you—yes," he answered.

She surrendered to the determination in his voice and they moved slowly along the path, listening for any sound that might come from ahead of them. Nathaniel had already formed his plan of action. From Marion's words and the voice in which she had uttered them he knew

163