After a pause I shrugged my shoulders.
"You must do as you like," I said.
"Carlo," cried the chief at once, "see the fines are collected, and we will be off and take him with us."
"Who shall the other hostage be?" asked the lieutenant.
The big man stooped down and whispered in his ear.
The other man nodded and smiled in response to the other's laugh, but it appeared to me that he by no means relished the information conveyed to him in the whisper.
"Now, Mr. Anstruther," remarked the big half-breed, "we must trouble you to come with us, and don't take longer than you can help to say good-bye to the ladies."
This was intended by way of a joke; one which I did not appreciate.
"As soon as my cashier has been round collecting the dues," proceeded the big man, "we must be off. Don't you think you will change your mind, Mr. Anstruther, and give me that packet? If I had my way I would search the whole train for it, but we haven't got time, so we must take you instead."
St. Nivel looked up from his corner where he had sat, his hat drawn over his eyes.