"I would much rather that you should go inside the coach, especially until we pass the Dead Line."
"No; I remain here."
"You are determined?"
"I am."
"Then I can say no more, and I hope, recognizing that I have a lady with me, they will not fire upon me."
"You seem to confidently expect an attack."
"I am sorry to say that I do."
"May I ask your reasons?"
"Well, I happen to know that one who was secretly on watch here on my last run is not here to-day, having been called away. I also know that five horsemen, whom I have reason to believe to be road-agents, left W—— ahead of me for the purpose of robbing the coach."
"Have you much of value with you?"