Long absence and somewhat too complaisant a reference of all my Virginian affairs to my agent have kept me much in ignorance of the economy of my plantation.

How long have you been my storekeeper ?" Neither cup for the wine nor answer to the question being forthcoming, Haward looked up from his broken bottle.

The man was standing with his body bent forward and his hand pressed against the wood of a great cask behind him until the finger-nails showed white.

His head was high, his face dark red and angry, his brows drawn down until the gleaming eyes beneath were like pin points.
So sudden and so sinister was the change that Haward was startled.

The hour was late, the place deserted; as the man had discovered, he had no weapons, nor, strong, active, and practiced as he was, did he flatter himself that he could withstand the length of brawn and sinew before him.
Involuntarily, he stepped backward until there was a space between them, casting at the same moment a glance toward the wall where hung axe and knife and hatchet.
The man intercepted the look, and broke into a laugh.