“I deny your right to question me,” she replied with flashing eyes.
A sardonic smile rested on his thin lips.
“Answer my question at once, girl, or the old man shall hang. Then we will tear the house down but we will find him. Men, I’ll give her ten seconds to decide, and then if she persist in her madness drag the old scoundrel to the window where he shall hang——”
“Never!” cried the clear, sharp voice of the brave girl. “Dare to harm him and you die, Captain Dermot!”
She had suddenly drawn a pistol, and its gleaming muzzle stared the Confederate chief in the face.
He started back with a cry of terror.
Her beautiful countenance shone with excitement, but she gave no evidence of fear.
Her tone was calm and measured as she said:
“You see that I am in earnest, Captain Dermot, and the first move that is made signs your doom. I have undertaken to save the life of Curtis Remington and I will do it though it costs me my own.”
A murmur of admiration went up from the spectators.