The sum that fell to the robber chief was a few shillings short of 3,000 [pounds] stg.
Several days passed away, during which there were many slight snow-falls in the wood. The snow, it may be added, was always kept removed from the covering of that portion of the tunnel over which the intruder must pass before he could reach the open-air rendezvous of the robbers.
One evening, as Roland sat in his room reading, Nancy entered with fight tread, and took her seat beside him.
'I think that the chief will soon require your services.'
'How comes this?'
'To-morrow I think he sets out upon the expedition of which you have already heard some mention. The girl is to be brought here to-morrow night; and he believes that you can assist him in two ways, first by turning your knowledge of the district to be visited to account: and second, by acting as a decoy for the young lady.'
'I shall die before he force me into such a work.'
'As I expected. Of course you will refuse, and he will rave and rage. See to it that you are armed, for he would shoot or stab you as he would a dog when he finds that you thwart him in a matter that he has so much at heart.'
'I shall be prepared, Nancy. When do you think he will make his request?'
'I should judge to-morrow morning.'