“In the meanwhile,” he said, turning to Stubbs, “I’m depending on you to keep those men in order. If they only had their pay–––”
“They’ll get it as soon as we can reach Danbury. It was you who sent him away, General.”
There was a note of resentment in Stubbs’ voice. He had not at all approved of this act.
“I know, I know. But––I saved his life by it. As soon as things settle down a bit it will be safer for him. In the meanwhile, if we could get those men out of the city. To be frank, I’m afraid of them. Arlano might reach them and he could buy them with a few pieces of gold.”
“I’m not denying that,” said Stubbs, “unless ye can give them more gold. As fer myself, I can’t promise ye nothin’. I’ve finished my cruise with the captain an’ done my best. If he was here, I’d stick by him still, but he ain’t, an’ I’ve gut other things in hand. Every mother’s son of the crew will git their pay fer their work so far, but further, I dunno. They done what they promised––took the city fer ye. Now if ye doesn’t watch ’em I reckon they’ll take it fer 219 themselves. As much as they can git in their pockets, anyhow.”
“I don’t like that,” answered the General, darkly. “If you’ll look after them–––”
“I wash my hands of them from now on,” broke in Stubbs. “Havin’ other duties.”
“Other duties here?” asked Otaballo, instantly suspicious.
“The findin’ of this gent Sorez bein’ one of ’em,” answered Stubbs. “An’ I guess we better be about it.”
“It is for the sake of the girl,” explained Wilson. “The one you saw me bringing from the dungeon. Sorez kidnapped her from America, and now he has taken her again.”