Col. Warner and his companion enjoyed the effect of their presence upontheir intended victim, and smiled in a manner that boded little good toMelville, as they dismounted from their steeds and advanced to the doorof the cabin.
"How are you, Melville?" said Warner, ironically. "I see you have notforgotten me."
"No, I have not forgotten you," answered Melville, regarding his visitoruneasily.
"This is my friend, Mr. Brown. Perhaps you remember him?"
"I do remember him, and the circumstances under which I last saw him,"replied Melville, rather imprudently.
Brown frowned, but he did not speak. He generally left his companion todo the talking.
"Being in the neighborhood, we thought we'd call upon you," continuedCol. Warner.
"Walk in, gentlemen, if you see fit," said Melville. "I suppose it wouldbe only polite to say that I am glad to see you, but I have some regardfor truth, and cannot say it."
"I admire your candor, Mr. Melville. Walk in, Brown. Ha! upon my word,you have a nice home here. Didn't expect to see anything of the kindin this wilderness. Books and pictures! Really, now, Brown, I am quitetempted to ask our friend, Melville, to entertain us for a few days."
"I don't think it would suit you," said Melville, dryly. "You areprobably more fond of exciting adventure than of books."
"Does the boy live with you?" asked Warner, dropping his bantering tone,and looking about his searchingly.
"Yes, he is still with me."
"I don't see him."
"Because he has gone to Deer Creek on business."
When Melville saw the rapid glance of satisfaction interchanged by thetwo visitors he realized that he had made an imprudent admission. Hesuspected that their design was to rob him, and he had voluntarilyassured them that he was alone, and that they could proceed withoutinterruption.
"Sorry not to see him," said Warner. "I'd like to renew our pleasantacquaintance."
Melville was about to reply that Herbert would be back directly, when itoccurred to him that this would be a fresh piece of imprudence. It woulddoubtless lead them to proceed at once to the object of their visit,while if he could only keep them till his boy companion did actuallyreturn, they would at least be two to two. Even then they would be by nomeans equally matched, but something might occur to help them.
"I suppose Herbert will return by evening," he replied. "You can see himif you remain till then."
Another expression of satisfaction appeared upon the faces of his twovisitors, but for this he was prepared.
"Sorry we can't stay till then," said Warner, "but business ofimportance will limit our stay. Eh, Brown?"
"I don't see the use of delaying at all!" growled Brown, who was notas partial as his companion to the feline amusement of playing with hisintended victim. With him, on the contrary, it was a word, and a blow,and sometimes the blow came first.
"Come to business!" continued Brown, impatiently, addressing hisassociate.
"That is my purpose, friend Brown."
"Mr. Melville, it is not solely the pleasure of seeing you that has ledmy friend and myself to call this afternoon."
Melville nodded.
"So I supposed," he said.
"There is a little unfinished business between us, as you will remember.I owe you a return for the manner in which you saw fit to throwsuspicion upon me some time since, when we were traveling together."
"I shall be very glad to have you convince me that I did you aninjustice," said Melville. "I was led to believe that you and yourfriend now present were leagued together to rob us of our money andvaluables. If it was not so--"
"You were not very far from right, Mr. Melville. Still it was not politeto express your suspicions so rudely. Besides, you were instrumental indefeating our plan."
"I can't express any regret for that, Col. Warner, or Jerry Lane, as Isuppose that is your real name."
"I am Jerry Lane!" said Warner, proudly. "I may as well confess it,since it is well that you should know with whom you have to deal. When Isay that I am Jerry Lane, you will understand that I mean business."
"I do," answered Melville, quietly.
"You know me by reputation?" said the outlaw, with a curious pride inhis unenviable notoriety.
"I do."
"What do men say of me?"
"That you are at the head of a gang of reckless assassins andoutlaws, and that you have been implicated in scores of robberies andatrocities."
This was not so satisfactory.
"Young man," said Lane--to drop his false name--"I advise you to becareful how you talk. It may be the worse for you. Now, to come tobusiness, how much money have you in the house?"
"Why do you ask, and by what right?"
"We propose to take it. Now answer my question."
"Gentlemen, you will be very poorly paid for the trouble you have takenin visiting me. I have very little money."
"Of course, you say so. We want an answer."
"As well as I can remember I have between forty and fifty dollars in mypocketbook."
Brown uttered an oath under his breath, and Lane looked uneasy.
"That's a lie!" said Brown, speaking first. "We were told you had fivethousand dollars here."
"Your informant was badly mistaken, then. I am not very wise, perhaps,in worldly matters, but I certainly am not such a fool as to keep solarge a sum of money in a lonely cabin like this."
"Perhaps not so much as that," returned Lane. "I don't pretend to sayhow much you have. That is for you to tell us."
George Melville drew from his pocket a wallet, and passed it to theoutlaw.
"Count the money for yourself, if you wish," he said. "You can verify mystatement."
Lane opened the wallet with avidity, and drew out the contents. It wasapparent at the first glance that the sum it contained was small. It wascounted, however, and proved to amount to forty-seven dollars and a fewsilver coins.
The two robbers looked at each other in dismay. Was it possible thatthis was all? If so, they would certainly be very poorly paid for theirtrouble.
"Do you expect us to believe, Mr. Melville," said Jerry Lane, sternly,"that this is all the money you have?"
"In this cabin--yes."
"We are not so easily fooled. It is probably all you carry about withyou; but you have more concealed somewhere about the premises. It willbe best for you to produce at once, unless you are ready to pass in yourchecks."
"That means," said Melville, growing pale in spite of himself, for heknew from report the desperate character of his guests, "that means, Isuppose, that you will kill me unless I satisfy your rapacity."
"It does," said Lane, curtly. "Now for your answer!"
"Gentlemen, I cannot accomplish impossibilities. It is as I say. Themoney in your hands is all that I have by me."
"Do you mean to deny that you are rich?" asked Lane.
"No, I do not deny it. That is not the point in question. You ask me toproduce all the money I have with me. I have done so."
"Do you believe this, Brown?" asked the captain, turning to hissubordinate.
"No, I don't."
"It is strictly true."
"Then," said Brown, "you deserve to die for having no more money forus."
"True," chimed in Lane. "Once more, will you produce your secret hoard?"
"I have none."
"Then you must be dealt with in the usual way. Brown, have you a rope?"
"Yes."
"Is there a convenient tree near by."
"We'll find one."
The two seized Melville, and, despite his resistance, dragged himviolently from the cabin, and adjusted a rope about his neck. The youngman was pale, and gave himself up for lost.
CHAPTER XXXVI. THE MINE IS SOLD.
Do and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune Page 35