[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.A gun barked in answer, and Ash shook his head angrily.His instinct was tofight.He roared his fury, and then, from just above him, came a harsh shriek.Ash fell back, slightly cowed, and the great black eagle screamed again.Ashlooked once more at the villa then turned and, without a backward glance, lopedaway across the veldt.He did not need to look up to know that the Bateleur soaredabove him. Chapter Fourteen It s a menace, I tell you! Gerald Haywood paced his trophy room, handsbehind his back. A man-eater with no respect no fear, even! for men, be theywhite or black.Three times now, it has violated this very compound! Steady on, old man. The district officer, a slight, swarthy man who lookedfar too fragile to survive Africa, leaned forward in his chair, steepling his fingers. Obviously we have a beast here that has to be stopped, but the best way to goabout it is with a cool head on our shoulders.Now you and your brother here haveseen this animal.Has anyone else?Roy looked uneasily about the room.It was bad enough sharing the same airas a murderer, but the cold dead eyes of thirty or more beasts stared back at himfrom the walls, forcing his gaze to the floor.At his side came a negative murmurfrom the other man present, Thornside s nearest neighbor, an expatriate Britonwhose name Roy had already forgotten.A native had appeared at Roy s compound an hour after breakfast, biddingRoy to an urgent meeting at Thornside that same afternoon.On arrival, Roydiscovered that the Thornside compound had, that very morning, once again beenthreatened by the mysterious gold lion.Roy had woken alone, finding Ash just re-entering the compound with a taleof hearing a Bateleur and going out to check.As soon as Roy returned, he thought, the two of them were going to have tohave a long talk.Until then, however, Roy vowed to do everything in his power tothrow the Haywood brothers off the scent. I ve seen the lion, he said, feelingHaywood s eyes upon him.The man gave an approving nod, and the district officerperked up, looking interested.Gerald Haywood ignored Roy, puffing out his cheeks self-importantly. It squite a young animal, in my estimation.And already a man-killer! There s no timeto be lost.Roy held up his hand, stilling whatever the district officer had been about tosay. Sir, my deepest sympathies are with you, and I don t mean to minimize yourloss in any way. He inclined his head toward Roland Haywood, who simply stared,mindlessly.Roy refused to look directly into his eyes.It was a force of effort to be inthe same room with him without violence. Well, Bennett, out with it, Gerald Haywood snapped. We re calling this lion a man-eater, Roy said,  but that s an assumption.Noone saw it take the boy, as I understand it? What s this? The district officer sat forward like a terrier. I understood theboy to have been killed by a lion?  I don t think there s any doubt of that, Roy lied calmly. The question, ifthere is one, is which lion.You were hunting, Haywood, and your nephew becameseparated from the party.Have I that right? Yes, yes, said the baronet. Stupid young cur missed his shot at alion scared the pride right off.We stopped for lunch, and when we went to startagain, no sign of him.Went after the lions, I expect, trying to save face.Roy looked at the man, his face a carefully impassive mask.There was noregret in Haywood s tone, no sorrow, and certainly no guilt.Nothing but anger.Royhad never asked Ash exactly what had happened that day, but the whip marks onhis flesh, combined with this story, made everything very clear.Asked to shoot a lion, Ash had misfired and alerted the pride.Hispunishment had been terrible, and Roy was certain that Ash had been lucky toescape it with his life.It was possible Gerald Haywood had administered thebeating without Sir Roland s knowledge, but Roy didn t believe that.Sooner or later,Roland Haywood would be called to account. I see what you mean. The district officer was nodding carefully. We have aman-eater out there somewhere, but as to whether it s the same lion threateningthe compound  Of course it s the same lion! Gerald said impatiently. Why else would thething have come here? It smelled the lad and followed his trail, looking for more! Steady on, old chap! The district officer looked revolted.Roy cleared his throat. Was the lion with the pride you were hunting? No, Sir Roland said. No, the male with that pride was a fine beast huge,with a beautiful black mane.A top specimen I d be proud to take as a trophy.Butthis animal is smaller, lighter colored and with a poor mane.A lion I d pass by inthe normal way of things.Sighing, the young district officer got to his feet. Gerald, I wish I could assistyou, but I fear it s clear I can t.You re clearly being plagued by a lion, but I m afraidI can t call it a man-eater.The boy your nephew was a tragic accident, but a manalone on the veldt cannot expect to be safe. He shook his head sadly. Sir Roland,my condolences upon your loss.I ll show myself out. But  Gerald Haywood rushed after him  the hunters from the Cape.The district officer turned and shook his head. Sorry, old man, he said withwhat sounded like genuine regret. I can t call them out for a bull and two deadguinea fowl.You ll simply have to deal with this lion yourself.A poisoned goatcarcass ought to do it, and I m surprised you haven t thought of it yourself.Goodday.* * * * Roy made his way home as the afternoon cooled, mulling over the events ofthe past twenty-four hours [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]