"
"No," he answered quickly. "It was not there, it was here, and here it
shall be again. The spot you mention is unpropitious to me; the attempt
would fail."
"It is the spot that I have chosen," answered Benita stubbornly.
"And this is the spot that I have chosen, Miss Clifford, and my will
must prevail over yours."
"Because you who do not believe in spirits are afraid to re-enter the
cave, Mr. Meyer, lest you should chance----"
"Never mind what I am or am not afraid of," he replied with fury. "Make
your choice between doing my will and your father's life. To-morrow
morning I shall come for your answer, and if you are still obstinate,
within half an hour he will be dead, leaving you and me alone together.
Oh! you may call me wicked and a villain, but it is you who are wicked,
you, you, _you_ who force me to this deed of justice."
Then without another word he sprang up and walked away from them
backwards, as he went covering Mr. Clifford with the pistol which he
had drawn from his pocket. The last that they saw of him were his eyes,
which glowered at them through the darkness like those of a lion.
"Father," said Benita, when she was sure that he had gone, "that madman
really means to murder you; there is no doubt of it."
"None whatever, dear; if I am alive to-morrow night I shall be lucky,
unless I can kill him first or get out of his way.
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