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.They nodded significantly."Good!" he resumed."You have told the truth—an excellent habit, and one that expedites business.Now, is there a room in this house with a door that locks? Your front door DOESN'T.""No.""No cellar nor outhouse?""No.""We regret that; for it will compel us, much against our wishes, to keep you bound as you are for the present.The matter is simply this: circumstances of a very pressing nature oblige us to occupy this house for a few days,—possibly for an indefinite period.We respect the sacred rites of hospitality too much to turn you out of it; indeed, nothing could be more distasteful to our feelings than to have you, in your own person, spread such a disgraceful report through the chivalrous Sierras.We must therefore keep you a close prisoner,—open, however, to an offer.It is this: we propose to give you five hundred dollars for this property as it stands, provided that you leave it, and accompany a pack-train which will start to-morrow morning for the lower valley as far as Thompson's Pass, binding yourself to quit the State for three months and keep this matter a secret.Three of these gentlemen will go with you.They will point out to you your duty; their shotguns will apprise you of any dereliction from it.What do you say?""Who yer talking to?" said Collinson in a dull voice."You remind us," said the orator suavely, "that we have not yet the pleasure of knowing.""My name's Seth Collinson."There was a dead silence in the room, and every eye was fixed upon the two men.The orator's smile slightly stiffened."Where from?" he continued blandly."Mizzouri.""A very good place to go back to,—through Thompson's Pass.But you haven't answered our proposal.""I reckon I don't intend to sell this house, or leave it," said Collinson simply."I trust you will not make us regret the fortunate termination of your little accident, Mr.Collinson," said the orator with a singular smile."May I ask why you object to selling out? Is it the figure?""The house isn't mine," said Collinson deliberately."I built this yer house for my wife wot I left in Mizzouri.It's hers.I kalkilate to keep it, and live in it ontil she comes fur it! And when I tell ye that she is dead, ye kin reckon just what chance ye have of ever gettin' it."There was an unmistakable start of sensation in the room, followed by a silence so profound that the moaning of the wind on the mountain-side was distinctly heard.A well-built man, with a mask that scarcely concealed his heavy mustachios, who had been standing with his back to the orator in half contemptuous patience, faced around suddenly and made a step forward as if to come between the questioner and questioned.A voice from the corner ejaculated, "By G—d!""Silence," said the orator sharply.Then still more harshly he turned to the others "Pick him up, and stand him outside with a guard; and then clear out, all of you!"The prisoner was lifted up and carried out; the room was instantly cleared; only the orator and the man who had stepped forward remained.Simultaneously they drew the masks from their faces, and stood looking at each other.The orator's face was smooth and corrupt; the full, sensual lips wrinkled at the corners with a sardonic humor; the man who confronted him appeared to be physically and even morally his superior, albeit gloomy and discontented in expression.He cast a rapid glance around the room, to assure himself that they were alone; and then, straightening his eyebrows as he backed against the chimney, said:—"D—d if I like this, Chivers! It's your affair; but it's mighty low-down work for a man!""You might have made it easier if you hadn't knocked up Bryce's gun.That would have settled it, though no one guessed that the cur was her husband," said Chivers hotly."If you want it settled THAT WAY, there's still time," returned the other with a slight sneer."You've only to tell him that you're the man that ran away with his wife, and you'll have it out together, right on the ledge at twelve paces.The boys will see you through.In fact," he added, his sneer deepening, "I rather think it's what they're expecting.""Thank you, Mr.Jack Riggs," said Chivers sardonically."I dare say it would be more convenient to some people, just before our booty is divided, if I were drilled through by a blundering shot from that hayseed; or it would seem right to your high-toned chivalry if a dead-shot as I am knocked over a man who may have never fired a revolver before; but I don't exactly see it in that light, either as a man or as your equal partner.I don't think you quite understand me, my dear Jack.If you don't value the only man who is identified in all California as the leader of this gang (the man whose style and address has made it popular—yes, POPULAR, by G—d!—to every man, woman, and child who has heard of him; whose sayings and doings are quoted by the newspapers; whom people run risks to see; who has got the sympathy of the crowd, so that judges hesitate to issue warrants and constables to serve them),—if YOU don't see the use of such a man, I do [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]