Voices were heard by the pirate as he approached, which arrested his steps.
They were those of Van der Kemp and Nigel engaged in conversation.
Baderoon knew that as long as his enemy was awake and conversing he might probably be sitting up and not in a position suitable to his fell purpose.

He crouched therefore among some lumber like a tiger abiding its time.
"Why are you so anxious not to meet this man ?" asked Nigel, who was resolved, if possible without giving offence, to be at the bottom of the mystery.
For some moments the hermit was silent, then in a constrained voice he said slowly-- "Because revenge burns fiercely in my breast.

I have striven to crush it, but cannot.

I fear to meet him lest I kill him." "Has he, then, done you such foul wrong ?" "Ay, he has cruelly--fiendishly--done the worst he could.

He robbed me of my only child--but I may not talk of it.