Part 29 (2/2)
”I will give you one hundred dollars, and keep the matter a secret from all. That will be better than to expose yourself to the penalty of the law.”
”Colonel Preston, a hundred dollars will not satisfy me. You have eight hundred dollars with you, and I shall not leave this spot till it is transferred to my possession.”
”If I refuse?”
”You will subject me to the unpleasant alternative of blowing your brains out,” said the other, coolly.
”You surely would not be guilty of such a crime, Mr. Fairfax?” said Colonel Preston, with a shudder.
”I would rather not. I have no desire to take your life, but I must have that money. If you prefer to keep your money, you will compel me to the act. You'll gain nothing, for in that case I shall take both--your life first, and your money afterward.”
”And this is the man with whom I dined, and with whom, a few moments since, I was conversing freely!” thought Colonel Preston.
The adventurer became impatient.
”Colonel Preston,” he said, abruptly, ”produce that money instantly, or I will fire.”
There was no alternative. With reluctant hand the colonel drew out his pocketbook, and was about to hand it with its contents to the highwayman, when there was a sudden crash in the bushes behind Fairfax, his pistol was dashed from his hand, and our young hero, Andy Burke, with resolute face, stood with his gun leveled at him. All happened so quickly that both Colonel Preston and Fairfax were taken by surprise, and the latter, still retaining his hold upon the bridle, stared at the young hero, who had so intrepidly come between him and his intended victim.
With an oath he stopped, and was about to pick up the pistol which had fallen from his hands, but was arrested by the quick, decisive tones of Andy:
”Let that pistol alone! If you pick it up, I will shoot you on the spot.”
CHAPTER XIX BAFFLED A ROBBER
Fairfax paused at Andy's threat. He was only a boy, it is true, but he looked cool and resolute, and the gun, which was pointed at him, looked positively dangerous. But was he to be thwarted in the very moment of his triumph, by a boy? He could not endure it.
”Young man,” he said, ”this is dangerous business for you. If you don't make yourself scarce, you won't be likely to return at all.”
”I'll take the risk,” said Andy, coolly.
”Confound him! I thought he'd be frightened,” said Fairfax to himself.
”I don't want to kill you,” he said, with a further attempt to intimidate Andy.
”I don't mean to let you,” said our hero, quietly.
”You are no match for me.”
”With a gun I am.”
”I don't believe it is loaded.”
”If you try to pick up that pistol, I'll convince you; by the powers, I will,” said Andy, energetically.
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