Part 14 (2/2)
”Do you know how to fire a gun?” asked Paul.
”Yes,” said Robert.
”Then keep it. For I am nervous, and my hand trembles. If he breaks through the door, fire.”
Ben Haley would have been up before this, but it occurred to him to explore other parts of the cellar, that he might carry away as much booty as possible. He had rendered himself amenable to the law already, and he might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb, so he argued. He was so busily occupied that he did not hear the noise of Robert's entrance into the room above, or he would at once have gone upstairs. In consequence of the delay his uncle and Robert had time to concert measures for opposing him.
Finally, not succeeding in finding more gold, he pocketed what he had found, and went up the cellar stairs. He attempted to open the door, when, to his great surprise, he found that it resisted his efforts.
”What makes the door stick so?” he muttered, not suspecting the true state of the case. But he was quickly enlightened.
”You can't come up!” exclaimed the old man, in triumph. ”I've bolted the door.”
”How did he get free? He must have untied the knots,” thought Ben. ”Does the old fool think he is going to keep me down here?”
”Unlock the door,” he shouted, in a loud, stern voice, ”or it will be the worse for you.”
”Have you got the gold with you?”
”Yes.”
”Then go down and leave it where you found it, and I will let you come up.”
”You're a fool,” was the reply. ”Do you think I am a child? Open the door, or I will burst it open with my foot.”
”You'd better not,” said Paul, whose courage had returned with the presence of Robert and the possession of the gun.
”Why not? What are you going to do about it?” asked Ben, derisively.
”I've got help. You have more than one to contend with.”
”I wonder if he has any one with him?” thought Ben. ”I believe the old fool is only trying to deceive me. At any rate, help or no help, it is time I were out of this hole.”
”If you don't open the door before I count three,” he said, aloud, ”I'll burst it open.”
”What shall I do,” asked Robert, in a low voice, ”if he comes out?”
”If he tries to get away with the gold, fire!” said the old man.
Robert determined only to inflict a wound. The idea of taking a human life, even under such circ.u.mstances, was one that made him shudder. He felt that gold was not to be set against life.
”One--two--three!” counted Ben, deliberately.
The door remaining locked, he drew back and kicked the door powerfully.
Had he been on even ground, it would have yielded to the blow, but kicking from the stair beneath, placed him at a disadvantage.
Nevertheless the door shook and trembled beneath the force of the attack made upon it.
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