"You make me ashamed, seh. I came with a passel of lies, to prospect around with a view to doing you dirt."
Balshannon chuckled, and I saw by the glint in his eye that he was surely enjoying this robber. "You'll dine with me?" said he.
Captain McCalmont looked up sharply to see what game the patrone was playing.
"You will notice, Captain," said the boss, "that my house is like a deadfall trap. Indeed—ah, yes, only one door, you see."
For answer the robber unbuckled his belt and let it fall to the ground. "Take my gun," he said. "Do you suppose I daren't trust you, seh?"
A servant had brought the brandy, and McCalmont rubbed a little on his son's face, then poured a few drops between his teeth. Presently the lad stirred, moaning a little.
"Let's take him to the house," said I.
"No, Mistah Chalkeye Davies," answered the robber, "not until this gentleman knows some more, a whole lot more. Here, Curly," he whispered, "wake up, bo'."
The lad opened his eyes, clear blue like the sky, and smiled at his father. "Air you safe, dad?" he whispered.
"Sure safe."