“And sleep like a top!”
“Even if the bed is rather hard.”
And then they all laughed again.
“Yes—and as long as you like! You’re our guest, Dannie. And we’re going to keep you awhile!”
Dan was bathed from head to foot in a cold sweat. He could not guess their meaning, but he knew it boded no good for him.
“We’ve been wanting to see you so bad,” one of the men went on, “ever since you treated us so well at the trial. Pity you couldn’t have held your tongue then, Dannie; you’d have had to stay in jail a little longer, but at least you’d have been alive.”
At last Dan found his tongue.
“You ain’t a-goin’ t’ kill me!” he cried. “You wouldn’t treat an old pal like that!”
“No, no, Dannie!” came the answer, soothingly, “we’re just going to put you in our spare room. Then I’m afraid we’ll have to bid you adieu. You see this State don’t agree with our health very well. We wouldn’t have stayed this long except for the pleasure of seeing you. Ain’t you glad?”