You won't be much
older, either. Perhaps Miss Ettie can tell you something about
it. As to you, Ettie, you'll come back to me on your knees--d'ye
hear, girl?--on your knees--and then I'll tell you what your
punishment may be. You've sowed--and by the Lord, I'll see that
you reap!" He glanced at them both in fury. Then he turned upon
his heel, and an instant later the outer door had banged behind
him.
For a few moments McMurdo and the girl stood in silence. Then
she threw her arms around him.
"Oh, Jack, how brave you were! But it is no use, you must fly!
To-night--Jack--to-night! It's your only hope. He will have your
life. I read it in his horrible eyes. What chance have you
against a dozen of them, with Boss McGinty and all the power of
the lodge behind them?"
McMurdo disengaged her hands, kissed her, and gently pushed her
back into a chair. "There, acushla, there! Don't be disturbed
or fear for me. I'm a Freeman myself. I'm after telling your
father about it. Maybe I am no better than the others; so don't
make a saint of me. Perhaps you hate me too, now that I've told
you as much?"
"Hate you, Jack? While life lasts I could never do that! I've
heard that there is no harm in being a Freeman anywhere but here;
so why should I think the worse of you for that? But if you are
a Freeman, Jack, why should you not go down and make a friend of
Boss McGinty? Oh, hurry, Jack, hurry! Get your word in first,
or the hounds will be on your trail.
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