The trembling
irresponsible wretch before him meditated some vague crime--and
Maruja was in danger. He did not allow himself to dwell upon any
other suspicion suggested by that speech; he quickly conceived a
plan of action. To have rung the bell and given Pereo into the
hands of the servants would have only exposed to them the lunatic's
secret--if he had any--and he might either escape in his fury or
relapse into useless imbecility. To humor him and follow him, and
trust afterwards to his own quickness and courage to avert any
calamity, seemed to be the only plan. Captain Carroll turned his
clear glance on the restless eyes of Pereo, and said, without
emotion, "Let us go, then, and quickly. You shall track them for
me; but remember, good Pereo, you must leave the rest to me."
In spite of himself, some accidental significance in this
ostentatious adjuration to lull Pereo's suspicions struck him with
pain. But the old man's eyes glittered with gratified passion as he
said, "Ay, good! I will keep my word. Thou shalt work thy will on
the little one as I have said. Truly it is a Providence! Come!"
Seeing Captain Carroll glance round for his overcoat, he seized a
poncho from the wall, wrapped it round him, and grasped his hand.
Carroll, who would have evaded this semblance of disguise, had no
time to parley, and they turned together, through the door by which
Pereo had entered, into a long dark passage, which seemed to be
made through the outer shell of the building that flanked the park.
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