He could always move with a most extraordinary lightness of foot,
so that, big and clumsy as he seemed in build, he could easily go
unheard and even unseen, and John Clive seemed to have little idea
that he remained so persistently near at hand.
This gift or power of Dunn's he had acquired in far-off lands, where
life may easily depend on the snapping of a twig or the right
interpretation of a trampled grass-blade, and he was using it now,
almost unconsciously, so as to make his presence near Ella and Clive
as unobtrusive as possible, when his keen eye caught sight of a bush,
of which leaves and branches were moving against the wind.
For that he knew there could be but one explanation, and when he
walked round, so as to get behind this bush, he was not surprised
to see Deede Dawson crouching there, his eyes very intent and eager,
his unsmiling lips drawn back to show his white teeth in a
threatening grin or snarl.
Near by him was his little chess-board and men, and as Dunn came up
behind he looked round quickly and saw him.
For a moment his eyes were deadly and his hand dropped to his
hip-pocket, where Dunn had reason to believe he carried a formidable
little automatic pistol.
But almost at once his expression changed, and with a gesture he
invited Dunn to crouch down at his side. For a little they remained
like this, and then Deede Dawson moved cautiously away, signing to
Dunn to follow him.
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