Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/265

Rh "You keep still! Your goose is n't all cooked yet, my friend!' snarled Claudius Brown, glaring at Robert for a moment. Then turning to Jacob again, he said, "I 'll be generous with you, Jake. I was to have five pounds if I got that letter. I 'll give you two if you 'll give it up." "Make it two hundred an' I might talk with ye," laughed Jacob.

"He does n't know anything about the letter. Can't you believe me?" said Robert again.

Ignoring the interruption, Claudius Brown said once more to the landlord, "It's yer last chance, Jake. Will ye own up where the letter is?"

"No, I won't," and Jacob laughed as he spoke. Robert was unable to understand the change which apparently had come over the man. All his despondency was gone and he appeared even to be enjoying his present experience, which to his fellow prisoner seemed to be beyond all reason. "Jake, do ye care more for that letter 'n ye do fer yer house?" demanded Brown.

"My advice to you, Claud Brown, is to leave my house alone," retorted Jacob, for the first time displaying any evidence of anger.