Part 17 (1/2)

”Never ht, sire I've an offer for you”

I still had my eye to the chink The three had mounted two steps more; three revolvers pointed full at the door

”Will you let us in? We pledge our honour to observe the truce”

”Don't trust theh the door,” said I

”But you h we should finish you, you ive your honour not to fire while we talk?”

”Don't trust theain

A sudden idea struck me I considered it for a ive my honour not to fire before you do,” said I; ”but I won't let you in Stand outside and talk”

”That's sensible,” he said

The three mounted the last step, and stood just outside the door I laid my ear to the chink I could hear no words, but Detchard's head was close to that of the taller of his couessed)

”H'ht I Then I said aloud:

”Well, gentlemen, what's the offer?”

”A safe-conduct to the frontier, and fifty thousand pounds English”

”No, no,” whispered Antoinette in the lowest of whispers ”They are treacherous”

”That seeh the chink They were all close together, just outside the door now

I had probed the hearts of the ruffians, and I did not need Antoinette's warning They ed in talk

”Give h outside

I turned to Antoinette

”Stand up close to the wall, out of the line of fire fro to do?” she asked in fright

”You'll see,” said I

I took up the little iron table It was not very heavy for a s The top, protruding in front of me, made a complete screen for my head and body I fastened my closed lantern to my belt and put my revolver in a handy pocket Suddenly I saw the door htly--perhaps it was the wind, perhaps it was a hand trying it outside

I drew back as far as I could fro the table in the position that I have described Then I called out: