Page:Moonfleet - John Meade Falkner.pdf/215

 he shall do with it as he likes; only that thou shalt have a third of it when we have sold it."

Then he: Tis not his treasure—no, nor yours either, but mine, for it is in my well, and I have let you get it. Yet I will give you a half-share in it; but as for this boy, what has he to do with it? We will give him a golden guinea, and he will be richly paid for his pains."

"Tush," cries Elzevir, "let us have no more fooling; this boy shall have his share, or I will know the reason why."

"Ay, you shall know the reason, fair enough," answers the turnkey, "and 'tis because your name is Block, and there is a price of £50 upon your head, and £20 upon this boy's. You thought to outwit me, and are yourself outwitted; and here I have you in a trap, and neither leaves this room, except with hands tied, and bound for the gallows, unless I first have the jewel safe in my purse."

On that I whipped the diamond back quick into the little parchment bag, and thrust both down snug into my breeches-pocket, meaning to have a fight for it, anyway, before I let it go. And looking up again, I saw the turnkey's hand on the butt of his pistol, and cried, "Beware, beware! he draws on you." But before the words were out of my mouth, the turnkey had his weapon up and levelled full at Elzevir. "Surrender," he cries, "or I shoot you dead, and the £50 is mine," and never giving time for answer, fires. Elzevir stood on the other side of the well-mouth, and it seemed the other could not miss him at such a distance; but as I blinked my eyes at the flash, I felt the bullet strike the iron chain to which I was holding, and saw that Elzevir was safe.