“Didn't I promise to ride away?” demanded the outlaw, angrily.
“Yes; but I have no confidence in your promise. Now, go at once, or I fire!”
Walter pointed the revolver full at the robber's head. He met the unflinching gaze of Walter's resolute eyes and saw that our hero was in earnest.
“Do you mean to keep my property?” he demanded hoarsely.
“No; come round to the hotel in Fremont to-morrow morning and you shall have your weapon.”
With an execration the outlaw turned his horse and dashed off at full speed.
“There, he is gone!” said Walter, sinking back in his seat with an air of relief. His nerves had been at high tension, though he was outwardly calm, for he knew that he had to deal with a desperate man, and feared a sudden attack, which might have resulted disastrously for him.
“I don't know whether you have done right, Walter,” said the professor, in a tone of mild deprecation.
“Surely, professor, you would not have had me give back the revolver?”
“He promised to ride off and leave us to ourselves.”