"My orders was to that there effect! And when I give orders I
mean 'em to be obeyed. You'll turn straight back where you came from,
miss, and in future do as I instruct--d'ye hear that, now?"
"If you expect me to keep quiet or dumb under that sort of thing,"
whispered Copplestone, bending towards Audrey, "you're very much mistaken
in me! I shall give this fellow a lesson in another minute if--"
"Well, wait another minute, then," said Audrey, who had continued to walk
forward, steadily regarding the agent's threatening figure. "Let me talk
a little, first--I'm enjoying it. Are you addressing me, Mr. Chatfield?"
she went on in her sweetest accents. "I hear you speaking, but I don't
know if you are speaking to me. If so, you needn't shout."
"You know very well who I'm a-speaking to," growled Chatfield. "I told
you you wasn't to come near these ruins--it's forbidden, by order. You'll
take yourself off, and that there young man with you--we want no paid
spies hereabouts!"
"If you speak to me like that again I'll knock you down!" exclaimed
Copplestone, stepping forward before Audrey could stop him. "Or to this
lady, either. Stand aside, will you?"
Chatfield twisted on his heel with a surprising agility--not to stand
aside, but to wave his arm to the men who stood here and there,
behind him.
"Here, you!" he shouted. "Here, this way, all of you! This here fellow's
threatening me with assault.
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