Wolf came in person at the head of a picked company of fifty guards.
Norman had stretched a rope a hundred feet from the dredge and posted a notice that he would kill any man daring to cross it without his permission.
Wolf paused at the rope. Norman stood alone on one of the big pumps with his arms folded watching his enemy in silence.
The captain of the guard laid his hand on the regent's arm:
"You'd better not try it."
"He won't dare," Wolf growled.
"Yes, he will," the captain insisted.
"I'll risk it," the regent snapped.
"Are you mad? What's the use? He'll blow it up. You can't rebuild the dredge—no one understands it. Use common sense. Send the girl with a flag of truce and ask for a conference."
"A good idea—if it works," Wolf answered hesitating.