Its master has himself started from his chair, and stands trembling. There is a slit of a door at back convenient for escape; and for an instant his eye is on it, as though he had half a mind to make exit that way. He would blow out the light were it a candle; but cannot as it is the fire, whose faggots are still brightly ablaze.
While thus undecided, he hears the knock repeated--this time louder, and with the accompaniment of a voice, saying,--
"Only the priest!" muttered Coracle to himself, but little better satisfied than if it were the policeman.
Giving the lurcher a kick to quiet the animal, he pulls back the bolt, and draws open the door, as he does so asking, "That you, Father Rogier?"
"_C'est moi!_" answers the priest, stepping in without invitation. "Ah! _mon bracconier!_ you're having something nice for supper. Judging by the aroma ragout of hare. Hope I haven't disturbed you. Is it hare?"
"It was, your Reverence, a bit of leveret."
"Was! You've finished then. It is all gone?"
"It is. The dog had the remains of it, as ye see."
"I'm sorry at that--having rather a relish for leveret. It can't be helped, however."
"I wish I'd known ye were comin'. Dang the dog!"
"No, no! Don't blame the poor dumb brute. No doubt it too has a taste for hare, seeing it's half hound. I suppose leverets are plentiful just now, and easily caught, since they can no longer retreat to the standing corn?"
"Yes, your Reverence. There be a good wheen o' them about."
"In that case, if you should stumble upon one, and bring it to my house, I'll have it jugged for myself. By the way, what have you got in that black jack?"
"Well, Monsieur Dick, I'll thank you for a mouthful."
"Will you take it neat, or mixed wi' a drop o' water?"
"Neat--raw. The night's that, and the two raws will neutralize one another. I feel chilled to the bones, and a little fatigued, toiling against the storm."
"It be a fearsome night. I wonder at your Reverence bein' out--exposin' yourself in such weather!"
"All weathers are alike to me--when duty calls. Just now I'm abroad on a little matter of business that won't brook delay."
"Sit down, and I shall tell you. It's too important to be discussed standing."
The introductory dialogue does not tranquillize the poacher; instead, further intensifies his fears. Obedient, he takes his seat one side the table, the priest planting himself on the other, the glass of brandy within reach of his hand.