“I reckon we’d better not have a lamp,” said Uncle Sam. “Its light might attract attention. I can strike a match, and use that; and put it right out. So, in with you.”
The baron and the woman went into the cabin without resisting. In fact, the baron seemed to have resigned himself to his fate quite as fully as the woman.
The three desperadoes went away as soon as the prisoners were in the hole back of the cabin; but Juniper Joe and Tim Benson informed Uncle Sam that they would be back in a short time, and “board” with him.
The blond-haired man watched them through his darkened window as they melted out of sight down the hill; then he took up his lamp, unlighted, and unlocked the door which had been closed on the prisoners.
Not until he had passed into the prison and had locked the door behind him did he light the lamp.
The prisoners were lying on the floor, bound again hand and foot.
“This is rough!” he said, holding up the lamp and looking at them.
“You gan bedt idt iss!” the baron exploded.
“Now, I’ll tell ye what I’ll do; I’ll take these cords off o’ you if you’ll give me your solemn word that you won’t try to get out and cause me to lose the money I’m to receive for holding you? What say?”