"Well," he said, "what does Captain Slavin want?"
"In the first place, the unconditional surrender of Sewell, Leger, and yourself."
"That can be counted on, so far as Leger and I are concerned. Sewell is no longer in the valley. What comes next?"
"The dispersing of the men you have with you."
"Which implies the arrest of Tomlinson?" asked Ingleby.
"It does, naturally."
"Well," said Ingleby, "we have heard your demands, and now we would like to know what you have to offer."
"That," said Coulthurst, "is simply answered. Nothing whatever. I may, however, say that, as usual in an affair of the kind, proceedings will only be taken against the recognized leaders—yourself, Sewell, and Leger—and that Captain Slavin intends to hold an inquiry on the spot into the death of Trooper Probyn."
Slavin, at whom he glanced, made a little gesture of concurrence.
"Major Coulthurst is correct," he said. "You have, however, to understand that the inquiry is in no way a concession. I have, as it happens, some information bearing on the case which has not come into Captain Esmond's possession. That is all. Now, what are you going to do?"