CHAPTER LIV.
THE WORM TURNS.
Potts departed from the Hall in deep dejection. The tremendous power ofhis enemy had been shown all along; and now that this enemy turned outto be Louis Brandon, he felt as though some supernatural being had takenup arms against him. Against that being a struggle seemed as hopeless asit would be against Fate. It was with some such feeling as this that heleft Brandon Hall forever.
All of his grand projects had broken down, suddenly and utterly. He hadnot a ray of hope left of ever regaining the position which he had butrecently occupied. He was thrust back to the obscurity from which he hademerged.
One thing troubled him. Would the power of his remorseless enemy be nowstayed--would his vengeance end here? He could scarce hope for this. Hejudged that enemy by himself, and he knew that he would not stop in thesearch after vengeance, that nothing short of the fullest and direstruin--nothing, in fact, short of death itself would satisfy him.
John was with him, and Vijal, who alone out of all the servants hadfollowed his fortunes. These three walked down and passed through thegates together, and emerged into the outer world in silence. But whenthey had left the gates the silence ended.
"Well, dad!" said John, "what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know."
"Have you any money?"
"Four thousand pounds in the bank."
"Not much, dad," said John, slowly, "for a man who last month was worthmillions. You're coming out at the little end of the horn."
Potts made no reply.
"At any rate there's one comfort," said John, "even about that."
"What comfort?"
"Why, you went in at the little end."
They walked on in silence.
"You must do something," said John at last.
"What can I do?"
"You won't let that fellow ride the high horse in this style, will you?"
"How can I help it?"
"You can't help it; but you can strike a blow yourself."
"How?"
"How? You've struck blows before to some purpose, I think."
"But I never yet knew any one with such tremendous power as this manhas. And where did he get all his money? You said before that he was thedevil, and I believe it. Where's Clark? Do you think he has succeeded?"
"No," said John.
"No more do I. This man has every body in his pay. Look at the servants!See how easily he did what he wished!"
"You've got one servant left."
"Ah, yes--that's a fact."
"That servant will do something for you."
"What do you mean?"
"Brandon is a man, after all--and can _die_," said John, with deepemphasis. "Vijal," he continued, in a whisper, "hates me, but he wouldlay down his life for you."
"I understand," said Potts, after a pause.
A long silence followed.
"You go on to the inn," said Potts, at last. "I'll talk with Vijal."
"Shall I risk the policemen?"
"Yes, you run no risk. I'll sleep in the bank."
"All right," said John, and he walked away.
"Vijal," said Potts, dropping back so as to wait for the Malay. "You arefaithful to me."
"Yes," answered Vijal.
"All the others betrayed me, but you did not?"
"Never."
"Do you know when you first saw me?"
"Yes."
"I saved your life."
"Yes."
"Your father was seized at Manilla and killed for murder, but Iprotected you, and promised to take care of you. Haven't I done so?"
"Yes," said Vijal humbly, and in a reverent tone.
"Haven't I been another father?"
"You have."
"Didn't I promise to tell you some day who the man was that killed yourfather?"
"Yes," exclaimed Vijal, fiercely.
"Well, I'm going to tell you."
"Who?" cried Vijal, in excitement so strong that he could scarce speak.
"Did you see that man who drove me out of the Hall?"
"Yes."
"Well, that was the man. He killed your father. He has ruined me--yourother father. What do you say to that?"
"He shall die," returned Vijal, solemnly. "He shall die."
"I am an old man," resumed Potts. "If I were as strong as I used to be Iwould not talk about this to you. I would do it all myself."
"I'll do it!" cried Vijal. "I'll do it!"
His eyes flashed, his nostrils dilated--all the savage within him wasaroused. Potts saw this, and rejoiced.
"Do you know how to use this?" he asked, showing Vijal the cord whichBrandon had given him.
Vijal's eyes dilated, and a wilder fire shone in them. He seized thecord, turned it round his hand for a moment, and then hurled it atPotts. It passed round and round his waist.
"Ah!" said Potts, with deep gratification. "You have not forgotten,then. You can throw it skillfully."
Vijal nodded, and said nothing.
"Keep the cord. Follow up that man. Avenge your father's death and myruin."
"I will," said Vijal, sternly.
"It may take long. Follow him up. Do not come back to me till you cometo tell me that he is dead."
Vijal nodded.
"Now I am going. I must fly and hide myself from this man. As long as helives I am in danger. But you will always find John at the inn when youwish to see me."
"I will lay down my life for you," said Vijal.
"I don't want your life," returned Potts. "I want _his_."
"You shall have it," exclaimed Vijal.
Potts said no more. He handed Vijal his purse in silence. The lattertook it without a word. Potts then went toward the bank, and Vijal stoodalone in the road.
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