The stranger turned toward the cabin, one corner of which was plainly visible, and shrugged his shoulders.
“I have nothing to do with the Appleweights, and I assure you I am not a timber thief.”
“Then you must be the one who has lifted a few steers out of my herd. It makes no difference just what branch of the business you are engaged in, for we’re picking up all the gang and you’ve got to come along with me.”
The captive showed signs of anger for the first time. His face flushed, and he took a step toward Ardmore, who immediately threw up the revolver so that it pointed at the man’s head.
“Stop right there! We’ve got old man Appleweight, so you’ve lost your leader, and I tell you the jig’s up. We’ll have you all in jail before another twenty-four hours has passed.”
“I judge from the tone of your remarks that you are Ardmore, the owner of Ardsley. Am I right?”
“You are quite right. And you are a member of a disreputable gang of outlaws that has been bringing shame upon the state of North Carolina. Now, I want you to march straight ahead of me. Step lively now!” And Ardmore flourished the pistol menacingly. “March!”
The man hesitated, flung up his head defiantly, then moved slowly forward. The flush in his face had deepened and his eyes flashed angrily; but Ardmore, his cap on the back of his head, himself presented a figure so severe, so eloquent of righteous indignation, that the stranger tamely obeyed him.
“We will cross the creek right here,” he ordered; “it’s a pretty jump there from that boulder—there, that was bully! Now right along there over the log—see the trail! Good!”
It was warm and the captive was perspiring freely. He moved along docilely, and finding that he manifested no inclination to bolt, Ardmore dropped the revolver to his side, but with his finger on the trigger. He was very proud of himself; for while to Miss Jerry Dangerfield undoubtedly belonged the honour of capturing the thief Appleweight, yet he had single-handed arrested a member of the famous gang, and he had already resolved upon a convenient method of disposing of his prisoner. They paused while Ardmore mounted his horse, silencing the captive, who took the opportunity to break out protestingly against what he termed an infamous outrage upon personal liberty.