"Stay, you fool!" Hilton cried. "If you dare to touch him I'll shoot you. Get back."
William hesitated.
"If you don't get back before I count three I'll lame you for life. One—two——"
William retired sullenly.
"My lord," said Hilton, "I must draw this painful interview to a close. Your presence excites William, and he's always dangerous when excited. We will retire. Before I go, I wish to give you my word of honour that anything we may take away with us to-night will be again in your possession within forty-eight hours."
"Your word of honour, sir!" repeated his lordship with withering contempt.
"You are ungenerous, my lord. You force me to remind you that but for my interference William would undoubtedly have had his revenge upon you to-night, and the Woolsack have lost its brightest ornament. In return, I ask your lordship to give me your own assurance that you will not raise any alarm for the next half-hour. If you do not we shall have to bind and gag you."
"Don't you be such a fool as to trust 'im," said William. "I'll do the gaggin'," he added, with enthusiasm.
"Shut up, William," said Mr. Hilton. "If his lordship gives his word you may be sure he will keep it—even with thieves. The age of chivalry is not yet past, although you are still alive. My lord, do you agree?"