"Why, what is the matter?"
"Matter enough! The old house above is burning down, and if you don't want to suffocate you must leave this place at once, with me."
"Well, why don't you open the door, then?"
He was unlocking the great padlock even as he spoke.
"I am perfectly willing to do so, and when you reveal to me the hiding-place of your father's money, which you had, when you left Leadville, you are free to go," he said, standing the doorway.
"Are you foolish enough to suppose for one moment, that I will reveal that?"
"If you don't do it, curse you, I will leave you here to suffocate!"
"Do so! I would cheerfully pay that penalty of my folly in ever having anything to do with you, a hundred times, rather than submit to your demands."
"Then—but no! I'll release you if you'll give me half of the sum."
"Not a cent, you detestable wretch."