“Your money,” said the other briefly.
Gates was a man of courage, and he answered coolly:
“Your answer is brief, and to the point.”
“I meant it to be,” said the highwayman.
“Suppose we object to complying with your polite request, what then?”
“I hold the answer in my hand.”
“Your pistol, I suppose.”
“You are perfectly correct. You must surrender either your money or your life.”
The Dutchman, who had been staring open-mouthed, began to understand the condition of affairs, and was panic-stricken.
“Give him de money,” he said, trembling. “Take his money, good gentleman, and spare my life. I want to go home to meine Katrine.”