“I see that I am recognized,” said he coolly. “Very well. It will neither help nor harm matters, as I should probably be suspected of this hold-up, anyway. Throw your property out here in front of me, beside the trail.”
“You ought to know bloomin’ well,” said Chick Billings, “that the driver of this ’ere stage hasn’t any dinero about his clothes. I got a bar o’ chewin’, but——”
“I wasn’t referring to you,” cut in Lawless, “but to the others. The man on your left, who seems to have met me before—I’d like to hear from him first.”
“Shucks!” returned Pete; “I’m just comin’ back from Montegordo, whar I’ve been ter see the sights. How kin ye expect me ter hev any money?”
Lawless pulled out a watch and studied its face.
“I’ve got just three minutes to make a clean-up,” he scowled; “and if I’m not done by that time, my men will open up on the lot of you. You ought to have some consideration for the lady, seems to me.”
“See how much consideration you’ve got fer her!” snapped Hotchkiss, throwing a well-worn wallet on the ground, in front of Lawless.
“Any jewelry?” asked the robber.
“Do I look like a feller that kerried it?” sneered the miner.
Pete pulled a handful of silver money out of his pocket, and threw it after Hotchkiss’ pocketbook.