Part 35 (2/2)

”You evidently know something that we do not,” said Parker.

”I do,” answered Melville.

Col. Warner looked at him searchingly, but did not speak.

Now was the time to test George Melville's nerve. He was about to take a bold step.

”Gentlemen,” he said, ”I regret to say that I have every reason to believe there is a man in this stage who is in league with the road agents.”

This statement naturally made a sensation.

There were seven pa.s.sengers, and each regarded the rest with new-born suspicion. There seemed, on the whole, about as much reason to suspect one man as another, and each, with the exception of Melville, found himself looked upon with distrust.

”Pooh, Melville! You must have had bad dreams!” said Col. Warner, who was the first to recover his self-possession. ”Really, I give you credit for a first-cla.s.s sensation. As for you, gentlemen, you may take stock in this c.o.c.k-and-bull story, if you like; I shall not. I, for one, have no fear of my fellow pa.s.sengers. I regard them all as gentlemen, and shall not allow myself to be disturbed by any silly fears.”

The air of calm composure with which the Colonel spoke served to tranquilize the rest of the pa.s.sengers, who wished to put credit in his a.s.surance.

”The Colonel speaks sensibly,” said Mr. Parker, ”and unless Mr. Melville a.s.signs a reason for his remarkable belief, I am disposed to think we have taken alarm too quick.”

”Of course, of course; all sensible men will think so,” said the Colonel. ”My friend, we shall be tempted to laugh at you if you insist on entertaining us with such hobgoblin fancies. My advice is, to put up that weapon of yours, and turn your attention to the scenery, which I can a.s.sure you, gentlemen, is well worthy of your admiration. Just observe the walls of yonder canyon, and the trees growing on the points.”

”Gentlemen,” said Melville, ”I should be glad to take the view of the last speaker, if I had not positive proof that he is the man who has agreed to deliver us into the hands of a road agent within the s.p.a.ce of half an I hour!”

”Sir, you shall answer for this!” exclaimed the Colonel, furiously, as he struggled to secure the weapon, his face livid with pa.s.sion.

But two pa.s.sengers, one the German, who, though short, was very powerful, forcibly prevented him.

CHAPTER XXVI. A COUNCIL OF WAR.

”Are you sure of what you say?” asked a pa.s.senger, turning with a puzzled look from George Melville, who, in the midst of the general excitement produced by his revelation, sat, not unmoved indeed, but comparatively calm. Courage and physical strength are by no means inseparable, and this frail young man, whose strength probably was not equal to Herbert's, was fearless in the face of peril which would daunt many a stalwart six-footer.

In reply to this very natural question, George Melville repeated the essential parts of the conversation which had taken place between Col.

Warner and the landlord.

Col. Warner's countenance changed, and he inwardly execrated the imprudence that had made his secret plan known to one of the intended victims.

”Is this true, Col. Warner?” asked Parker.

”No, it's a lie!” returned the colonel, with an oath.

”Gentlemen!” said George Melville, calmly, ”you can choose which you will believe. I will only suggest that this man managed very adroitly to find out where each one of us kept his money. You can also consider whether I have any cause to invent this story.”

It was clear that the pa.s.sengers were inclined to put faith in Melville's story.

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