“I did,” said Frank.
“Do it with free heart?” asked the red.
“Yes, and I’d do it again,” said Frank. “If I could put a knife in your hand then I’d fight with you, but when you cannot defend yourself I will not strike.”
“Good,” said the red, “you hab heart of Indian. Me like you. Listen.”
Frank bent close.
“Go down to bottom of stairs, smash in de last step with ax, and you find some gold. Dat for you.”
Frank needed no second bidding.
He tore his ax from its rest at the side of the wagon.
“Harry,” he said to Hale, “will you give me what spoils I can find, if they are not plates or dies or anything you need for evidence?”
“Anything,” said Hale. “This victory is all your work.”