“I did it by holding out against you and saying I’d sooner my gal had him than you; and why I did it was because I had dark suspicions.  And you can thank God I had.  When he found I was up against Oakshotts and didn’t care for nobody there and took a lawless view of life, he came across with it.  He’s a bad lot and have done time, and he’s here for no good whatsoever to Oakshotts.  But he’s worse than hot stuff, William.  He’s a dangerous criminal, and he’s going to put you out of his path pretty soon as if you was no more than a carrion crow, unless you climb down about my daughter.”

“Is he?” I said.  “And how does he intend to set about it?”

“I’ve called you here to tell you,” answered Owlet.  “Only yesterday he let out his plans and I pretended to applaud ’em.  Nobody’s easier to wipe out than you, owing to your regular habits, and on Wednesday next which is his afternoon off, he’ll lie behind a hedge for you and do you in.  That’s as sure as death.”

I was a good bit amused to hear this tale.

“And what hedge?” I asked.

“He’ll shoot you,” said Owlet, “and when you go for your walk, you won’t come back.  And he’ll have his alibi all right and never be suspected, for that matter.  He means to get you from the woodstack and be gone like a flash of lightning.  I got it out of him by pretending that nothing would suit me better than your death; and I’m telling you, so as you shall either be the hunter instead of the hunted, if you’re brave enough for such a job, or else give him up to justice instanter on my word.  He’s got a army revolver and that he’ll use if you don’t take the first step yourself.”

I looked at Joshua and felt a lot puzzled about his yarn.  Fear I did not feel, because them that was in the War know it not in peace.  But for a moment my mind was took off Bond by Owlet himself, and I couldn’t somehow feel his story had the ring of truth about it.  In fact I told him so, and he swore a barrow-load of oaths that it was only too true.

“I’ve told you,” he said, “and I’ve worked for you in this matter, Morris, and hid myself and hoodwinked the wily devil till he believed I was with him heart and soul.  But if you don’t believe me I can do nought.  All I say is that the man is well aware how only you stand between him and Jenny, and he’ll do you in next Wednesday so sure as you’re born, if you don’t watch out.”

“Never heard anything so interesting, Joshua,” I said, “but whether I believe you or not, I can’t be sure.  However, fear nought.  If I could get through the War, I ain’t likely to go down afore this damned rogue.  And forewarned is forearmed.  I’ll keep my weather eye lifting on Wednesday, be sure of that much.”

“Have you got a revolver?” he asked.

“I’ve got my old war revolver,” I said, “and it will be in my pocket when I go out for my health.”

“I hope your health won’t suffer, then,” he told me.