“Wait and see.”
Patsy still was a bit puzzled, but he submitted in grim silence to the work of the three ruffians, who disarmed and then securely bound him.
“Now, Margate, a gag,” said Deland. “Make sure that you fix it so securely that he cannot remove it. He shall occupy cold quarters to-night—and hereafter!”
Patsy saw plainly that he was in the hands of a man who had in him all the makings of a devil.
Margate took a gag from his pocket and fastened it in Patsy’s mouth.
“Now, gentlemen, we are ready,” said Deland. “Bring[Pg 36] him with us. Let him see what he may. It’s a pleasure to gratify him. Murderers are well fed and wined, even, if wanted, before their execution. Bring him along.”
He turned with the last and tore off several palings, already loosened, from the high fence.
Forced on by the other three ruffians, Patsy was conducted to the door of one of the tombs, some twenty yards from where the wagon had been left.
Deland took a key from his pocket and unlocked the iron door, which Pitman and Ruff quickly removed and stood against a near bank.
“Look!” said Deland. “Here is what we came after.”