Читать книгу The Dark River онлайн

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"Of course. I won't expect you till you come. I'll be off now while there's time."

McLeod stood looking after his friend until he had disappeared among the trees in the direction of the beach. Then, finding that there was no one at hand, he took a path leading into the valley and followed it for some distance. At a turn near the river he came face to face with a slender, dark-haired woman with a basket on her arm. She stopped short at sight of him and drew back a pace or two.

"Madame Mauri?"

She set down her basket, regarding him for a few seconds with a grave questioning glance.

"Yes," she replied.

"You don't know me?" he added, smiling.

She continued to regard him in the same grave manner, then shook her head.

"But perhaps you will remember a little boy who was here many years ago with his father and mother? Didn't they live in a house just across the river?"

An expression of astonishment that seemed almost painful in its intensity came into Mauri's eyes.

"Aué!" she exclaimed in a low voice. "Yes, but... you are not..."