“Call her,” he said to Billy, “th’ girl.”
Billy raised his voice. “Nell! Oh, Nell!”
In a moment she appeared in the doorway at the foot of the stairs, without hesitation or fear. When she perceived the state of affairs, she brightened almost mischievously.
“Would you jest as soon, ma’am, if it ain’t troubling you too much, jest nat’rally sort of untie Billy?” requested the stranger.
She did so. The hotel-keeper stretched his arms.
“Now, pick up th’ guns, please.”
The two set about it.
“Where’s that damn ol’ reprobate?” inquired Billy, truculently, looking about for Charley.
The patriarch had quietly slipped away.
“You kin drop them hands,” advised the stranger, lowering the muzzles of his weapons. The leader started to say something.