“I have offered to buy my freedom, because I cannot expect to obtain justice here among you bigots,” returned Everett. “I warn you that if you do not take this rope off my arms, I shall see that you do not get a penny from me, and that you pay for this week’s work.”
“So long as Walda Kellar is guarded it will be safe to let thee have thy freedom, but we take no chances now.”
“Walda Kellar is my promised wife, and I demand her liberty as well as my own.”
“Walda Kellar belongeth to Zanah, and thou canst not assert any claim to her,” Adolph Schneider retorted, angrily.
“You will see what I can do,” Everett said. “But I do not want to try coercion. Give your consent to our marriage, and I will make Zanah a gift of money to signify my gratitude.”
The Herr Doktor’s little eyes glittered.
“How much?” he asked.
“We will not discuss terms until I am freed from these ropes,” said Everett. “My imprisonment would be much easier to bear if you would let me have my hands free, so that I can smoke.”
Adolph Schneider surveyed the stranger in Zanah with a look of suspicion.
“Zanah would not be doing the will of God if Walda Kellar was not punished for causing her father’s death,” he remarked.