“To a man of easy manner and confidence in himself,” said Hawkins, “the thing is no great matter. The like is done often enough, I dare be sworn. So what harm if an odd case or two be added?”
“To such as that,” said the landlord, and the lean hand was again caressing the pointed chin, “there is risk attached.”
“Risk!” Both Hawkins and Sugden jeered at the bare notion of such a thing. “Surely,” continued the former, “you do not fear two——”
But the landlord stopped him.
“Not that, mayhap,” said he, “though the two are more than ordinarily well armed.”
“Ah, well,” sneered Hawkins, “I see you are not the man for the money, after all.”
“Wait!” The landlord held up a hand. “Just one moment, sirs. What,” and his lean face was thrust forward, “would you have me do with the two lads?”
“Deliver them up to us—nothing more.”
“Ah!” The landlord showed vast relief. “That is a matter of some difference. However, my wife is here; if you’ll but give me a moment I’ll speak to her.”
He crossed to the inner door and called his wife by name.