Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/260

244 A shout from Claudius Brown caused the man who had been about to carry out the leader's order to set fire to the house, to return and join his comrades, and at the same time the man whom Robert had thrown violently against the side of the barn slowly arose, and with an expression of rage upon his face advanced upon the helpless prisoner.

"Here! None of that!" said Brown sternly, as he perceived what the man was about to do. "We 'll leave all that till we have done our other work." Then turning sharply upon Robert, he said quietly, "Give me the letter, young man."

"What letter?" replied Robert boldly.

"Don't try any dodges. You know what I mean. Give me your letter."

"I have n't any letter. You can search me and see for yourself."

"I don't need you to tell me what I can do. You 'll find that out before you are many minutes older." Nevertheless a new expression appeared upon his face at Robert's words, and for a moment he seemed to be abashed by the very calmness of the young man before him. "You brought a letter from the army."

"I know it."