He made a threatening gesture with his six-shooter.
“I gave it to the lady behind me,” said De Bray desperately. “She hid it among the flowers in her hat, along with——”
Hotchkiss swore a great oath.
“Kill him, Lawless! He ain’t fit ter live!”
Lonesome Pete reached over with a clenched fist, and Chick Billings turned half-around in the seat, with the evident intention of hurling De Bray into the trail.
“Steady, there, all of you!” ordered Lawless. “Keep your places, and hold up your hands. Who’s bossing this game, anyhow? I don’t care a rap what you do with the tenderfoot after I get away from here, but just now it’s my innings. The Easterner has saved his life—you can’t blame him for that.” He spurred his horse a step forward. “Madam,” he added, to the trembling woman, “I’ll trouble you to take your money from the hat and throw it into the road. Did this tenderfoot speak the truth?”
“Y-y-yes!” gasped the woman.
“Then give me the money.”
“Oh, sir,” pleaded the woman, stretching out her hands supplicatingly, “let me keep what’s mine, and——”
“I’m a man of business, and not of sentiment,” said Lawless harshly, “and I may add that I’m not in this dangerous business for my health. The money, quick!”