A LESSON IN POLITENESS
Within five minutes we had a big surprise, for the sheriff and Mr. Baldwin came back, and the former announced that Fred and Lord Ralles were free, having been released on bail. When we found that Baldwin had gone on the bond, I knew that there was a scheme of some sort in the move, and, taking Fred aside, I warned him against trying to recover the proxies.
“They probably think that one or the other of you knows where the letters are hidden,” I whispered, “and they’ll keep a watch on you; so go slow.”
He nodded, and followed the sheriff and Lord Ralles out.
The moment they were gone, Mr. Camp said, “I came back to give you a last chance.”
“That’s very good of you,” I said.
“I warn you,” he muttered threateningly, “we are not men to be beaten. There are fifty cowboys of Baldwin’s in this town, who think you were concerned in the holding up. By merely tipping them the wink, they’ll have you out of this, and after they’ve got you outside I wouldn’t give the toss of a nickel for your life. Now, then, will you hand over those letters, or will you go to —— inside of ten minutes?”
I lost my temper in turn. “I’d much prefer going to some place where I was less sure of meeting you,” I retorted; “and as for the cowboys, you’ll have to be as tricky with them as you want to be with me before you’ll get them to back you up in your dirty work.”
At this point the sheriff called back to ask Camp if he was coming.
“All right,” cried Camp, and went to the door. “This is the last call,” he snarled, pausing for a moment on the threshold.