Breathlessly the throng watched Frank approach.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Nothing," returned his brother, with a slight quiver of his left eyelid that only Frank could see.
Young Rozier had been within earshot and as the stranger had made his reply, he shook with anger.
He had thought only of the ridicule to which his family would be subjected because of his sister's intercession, but that her appeal should be treated so lightly wounded his pride.
But this pride was destined to a more severe shock when Jesse called:
"Bring up Consollas. The tar's ready!"
"You mean that you refuse a Rozier's request?" snarled the fellow, his rage overcoming his discretion.
"Keep your tongue in your head or I'll give you a coat of feathers, too," snapped the great outlaw. And the expression on his face told the banker's son that he meant what he said and the youth subsided.
In such a state of terror that he could not walk, the victim was dragged to the cauldron by Clell.