"Do you want to see him?"
"And you. Yes. You told me such lies at Saxham, coached by Don Manuel I suppose, that I wish to talk to the two of you together."
"If you don't leave this place I will call the police."
"Do so by all means. I shall give you in charge when they appear. Come Joyce, don't be a fool! You have to sit down and do what I tell you."
Joyce resumed his seat and bit his fingers. "Santiago will kill you," he muttered viciously. "I hope he will!"
"Thank you; I see pity is wasted on a reptile like you. But see here," said Jim with sudden fierceness. "I am prepared for you and for the Mexican also. I have only to fire this," he showed the revolver "and the detectives who are waiting will come up."
"Detectives!" cried Joyce white as snow and trembling.
"Yes, you fool. I gave you every chance to clear yourself. You abused my leniency, and plotted with Santiago to cheat me. This time you will not get off so easy. I wonder how you will like being in the dock on a charge of conspiracy."
"It's--it's--it's a lie!"
"It's the truth, and you know it. You and Santiago wish to get the money left by Colonel Carr. You tried to murder Stephen in the churchyard."