“Finish your dinner,” said the leader. “We will wait for you.”
“Thank you; you are very kind, but I can eat no more. What do you intend doing with me? Will I be hung?”
“We are not here to promise you anything. You had better prepare for the worst.”
“My friends advised me to leave two or three days ago.”
“You would probably have done well had you followed their advice. Why didn’t you go?”
“Because I had done nothing wrong, and did not wish to leave.”
It is probable that but for the blandishments of a fascinating mistress, the memory of Dillingham’s murder would have dictated to this ruffian an earlier and more successful effort at escape.
“Have you heard of the execution of Plummer, Stinson, and Ray?” asked the leader.
“Yes; but I don’t believe the report is true.”
“You may bet your sweet life on’t.”