"Let him go, Jeekie. Take his rifle and let him go," exclaimed Alan, who
all this while had stood amazed. "There must be some mistake, he cannot
have meant to murder me."

"Don't know what he mean, but know his bullet go through my hair, Major,
and give me new parting," grumbled Jeekie as he obeyed.

"Of course it was a mistake, Vernon, for I suppose it is Vernon," said
Aylward, as he rose. "I do not wonder that your servant is angry, but
the truth is that your sudden appearance frightened me out of my wits
and I fired automatically. We have been living in some danger here and
my nerves are not as strong as they used to be."

"Indeed," answered Alan. "No, Jeekie will carry the rifle for you; yes,
and I think that pistol also, every ounce makes a difference walking
in a hot climate, and I remember that you always were dangerous with
firearms. There, you will be more comfortable so. And now, who do you
mean by 'we'?"

"I mean Barbara and myself," he answered slowly.

Alan's jaw dropped, he shook upon his feet.

"Barbara and yourself!" he said. "Do I understand----"

"Don't you understand nothing, Major," broke in Jeekie. "Don't you
believe one word what this pig dog say. If Miss Barbara marry him he
no want shoot you; he ask you to tea to see the Missus and how much she
love him, ducky! We just go on and call on Miss Barbara and hear the