"We don't intend to leave till it stops raining," put in Mr. Jonstone sweetly.
"Miss Darling," said Colonel Meredith, "you don't feel chilled, do you? You mustn't take this adventure seriously. These people are desperate characters, but they haven't the mental force to be dangerous. It will be the greatest pleasure in the world both to my cousin and myself to see that no harm befalls you." He turned once more to the unshaven men about the fire.
"Have you got anything worth while in that mail-bag?" he asked. "I read that the safe in the Montreal express only contained a few hundred dollars. Hardly worth risking prison for—was it?"
"We'll have enough to risk prison for before we get through with you."
"You might if you managed well, because I am a rich man. But you are sure to bungle."
He turned to the woman and asked with great kindness:
"Is it their first crime?"
"Yes, sir," she said. "Mr.——"
"Shut up!" growled one of her companions.
"A gentleman from New York turned us out of the woods so's he could have them all to himself and after we'd spent all our money on lawyers. So my husband and the boys allowed they had about enough of the law. And so they held up the express, but it was more because they were mad clear through than because they are bad, and now it's too late, and—and——"