"His proxies are here, and they will act without instructions from him," said Jeffard, with his hands to his head and his teeth set to keep the words from shaping themselves into a groan.
"You mean the two who were with him?"
"Yes. So far as the present fight is concerned, the three are one; and two of them are still free to act."
"So?—that's different." Denby finished tying the second shoe and rose to begin measuring a sentinel's beat between the window and the door, pacing evenly with his brows knitted and his hands clasped behind him. "You know what to expect, then?"
"I know that I have been twice shot at within the past two hours, and that the moments are golden."
"But you are in no condition to go in and hold it alone! You'll have to meet force with force. You ought to have at least three or four good men with you."
"What I have to do presupposes a clear field," said Jeffard guardedly. "If it should come to blows, the discussion of—of ethics will be indefinitely postponed, I'm afraid."
"Humph! I suppose your reasons are as strong as your obstinacy. How far is it to your claim?"
"I don't know the exact distance; about twenty miles, I believe. But there is a mountain range intervening."