It was all done in a quiet, unobtrusive way, but it seemed plain to me
that Mr Raydon did try to keep us apart, or under his eye, during
Gunson's stay.
This was not for long. The man seemed a good deal changed, and as if
dissatisfied at being so very unsuccessful; and during his visit the
temptation was very strong upon me to give him a hint as to where he
might go and find all that he desired. And about this time I found that
Esau looked strange, and avoided me a good deal, going about as if he
had something on his mind, and I was afraid to ask him what.
"Going to-morrow morning?" said Mr Raydon, as Gunson made the
announcement. "That is rather soon."
"Well, yes, it is soon," replied Gunson; "but I may be coming back."
"Yes, of course," said Mr Raydon, giving him a quick look. "You may be
coming back."
These seem trifling words, but they made an impression upon me at the
time, and I thought about them a good deal afterwards. In fact, I
thought of them that night.
It came on very dark, and I was standing just outside our place, when I
heard a step, and directly after Gunson came up slowly and thoughtfully.
"Who's that?" he cried sharply.