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278 you, and extracting our £7,000, 1 wouldn't give a lump of sugar for your life," I said, with a serene air.

He turned a little pale, and lost his brave air, but still he blustered, "Do I understand you to threaten me?"

"I don't know whether you understand it or not; but that's what I'm doing," I said cheerfully.

"That's so," said Chelubai. "The day you go to the police will be the best day you ever knew to make your will on."

Honest John Driver looked from one to the other of us with something of the air of a wild beast in a trap. "It's not fair! It's not honest!" he cried. "I'm not in any great hurry," I said. "But it would save time if you gave us a definite answer."

"I won't pay!" he blustered, valorous again.

"Very good," I said. "We'd as soon do two jobs as one. Come along, Kearsage," and I moved to the door. Our confidence shook him. "Wait," he said—"wait a minute."

"What for?" I said, opening the door. "Your answer is good enough for me, and kerosene is cheap."

"I—I tell you what. I'll pay your expenses, your out-of-pocket expenses." The bluster had gone.