"I have gold amounting to the sum demanded."
"See here, Doc, I don't see why we should be robbed by one man, so let us run him in, now we have the young lady, and we will not have to pay the gold," and Harding suddenly covered the outlaw with his revolver.
"No, no!" cried Celeste. "That will never do."
"No, Harding, we must keep faith with him, even if he be a murderer and a thief. Put up your gun," said Doctor Dick.
The masked outlaw had not moved at the action of Harding, but now said:
"You wisely decide, Doctor Dick, for I am no fool to be caught in a trap, and I trust no man, so came prepared to meet treachery if it was intended, and this young lady will tell you that my men are within easy range, and you, Harding, in covering me with your revolver, took big chances."
"I didn't believe you would come alone, and we were fools to do so, for we could have fought it out right here," grumbled the driver, greatly disappointed at his not carrying out his suddenly determined upon plot.
The road-agent then took the bag, opened it, ran over the gold like one who knew its value, and then said:
"Yes, there is the amount here, no more, no less. Ask Miss Seldon if she has not been treated with marked respect."
"I can but answer yes, for I have been; but am I not to have my trunk and side-saddle?"