“Just listen to him!” said Croyden, as Hook-nose took a fresh start. “Did you ever hear his equal!... Now, if you’ll be quiet a moment, like your pal, we will tell you something that possibly you’ll not be averse to hear.... So, that’s better. We’re about to release you—let you go free; it’s too much bother to keep you prisoners. These little toy guns of yours, however, we shall throw into the Bay, in interest of the public peace. May we trouble you, Mr. Axtell, to remove the bonds?... Thank you! Now, you may arise and shake yourselves—you’ll, likely, find the circulation a trifle restricted, for a few minutes.”
Hook-nose gave him a malevolent look, but made no reply, Bald-head grinned broadly. 169
“Now, if you have sufficiently recovered, we will escort you to your carriage! Forward, march!”
And with the two thieves in front, and the three revolvers bringing up the rear, they proceeded to the buggy. The thieves climbed in.
“We wish you a very good day!” said Croyden. “Drive on, please!”
XI
ELAINE CAVENDISH
“May we have seen the last of you!” said Macloud, as the buggy disappeared among the trees; “and may the police provide for you in future.”