a calm resolve, as if he had to deal with something well expected.
We had not long to wait, for very soon we heard a rolling of stones and trampling of feet coming down the path, and from the darkness issued a group of men, having Maskew in the middle of them. They were hustling him along fast, two having hold of him by the arms, and a third by the neck of his shirt behind. The sight gave me a sick qualm, like an overdose of tobacco, for it was the first time I had ever seen a man man-handled, and a fellow-creature abused. His cap was lost, and his thin hair tangled over his forehead, his coat was torn off, so that he stood in his waistcoat alone; he was pale, and gasped terribly, whether from the sharp run, or from violence, or fear, or all combined.
There was a babel of voices when they came up of desperate men who had a bitterest enemy in their clutch; and some shouted, "Club him," "Shoot him," "Hang him," while others were for throwing him over the cliff. Then some one saw under the flap of his waistcoat that same silver-hafted pistol that lay so lately next the lease of the Why Not, and snatching it from him, flung it on the grass at Block's feet.
But Elzevir's deep voice mastered their contentions.
"Lads, ye remember how I said when this man's reckoning day should come 'twas I would reckon with him, and had your promise to it. Nor is it right that any should lay hand on him but I, for is he not sealed to me with my son's blood? So touch him not, but bind him hand and foot, and leave him here with me, and go your ways; there is no time to lose, for the light grows apace."
