Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/283

Rh save it. Not far from where he was standing Robert perceived Jacob Gunning, who apparently had recovered somewhat from his brutal treatment by the gang of marauders, but there was nothing in his bearing to indicate that he was anything more than a disinterested spectator of the scene before him. His attitude was a source of some surprise to Robert, for he knew that if he himself had been the one to suffer such a loss ard endure such treatment as the landlord had been compelled to undergo at the hands of the ruffians, he would not meekly submit as Jacob was doing. His meditations were sharply interrupted by the word of the lieutenant, who said to Claudius Brown, "I want you to go with us."

"I have n't said I would n't," responded the man sulkily.

"I want all your men to go, too."

They 'll go all right."

"We 'll leave this fellow here," continued the officer, pointing at the disconsolate figure of Jacob Gunning. "He does n't look as if he'd do any damage anyway; and then, too, I don't want to have too many prisoners—just yet," he added, with a laugh, "One is enough."