Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/58

42 other circumstances might even have been attractive. "He won't get away," he said. "Who is he?"

"An express from Washington."

"Anything on him?"

"Not much now," replied the captor, with a laugh. "We 've looked well to that."

"What's to be done with him?"

"Nothing to-night. In a day or two we 'll know more. He's to be left here with you till we come for him."

"How 'll I know when to let him go?"

"You 're not to let him go at all. Some one of us will come and get him. And if you don't want every bone in your body broken, you 'll see to it that he does n't give you the slip."

The giant laughed in a manner that reminded Robert of the rumbling of distant thunder. "Shall I tie his feet?" he inquired.

"If you want to. His hands are tied now."

"Bring him in. I 'll 'tend to him."

"In you go! In with you!" said the captor to Robert, and at once he entered the hut.

Neither of the men followed him, and he glanced eagerly about. There was but one