“That’s wise, Mr. Myerst,” he said, keeping his revolver steadily pointed at his prisoner’s nose.  “Discretion will certainly be the better part of your valour on this occasion.  Spargo—­may I trouble you to see what Mr. Myerst carries in his pockets?  Go through them carefully.  Not for papers or documents—­just now.  We can leave that matter—­we’ve plenty of time.  See if he’s got a weapon of any sort on him, Spargo—­that’s the important thing.”

Considering that Spargo had never gone through the experience of searching a man before, he made sharp and creditable work of seeing what the prisoner carried.  And he forthwith drew out and exhibited a revolver, while Myerst, finding his tongue, cursed them both, heartily and with profusion.

“Excellent!” said Breton, laughing again.  “Sure he’s got nothing else on him that’s dangerous, Spargo?  All right.  Now, Mr. Myerst, right about face!  Walk into the cottage, hands up, and remember there are two revolvers behind your back.  March!”

Myerst obeyed this peremptory order with more curses.  The three walked into the cottage.  Breton kept his eye on his captive; Spargo gave a glance at the two old men.  Cardlestone, white and shaking, was lying back in his chair; Elphick, scarcely less alarmed, had risen, and was coming forward with trembling limbs.

“Wait a moment,” said Breton, soothingly.  “Don’t alarm yourself.  We’ll deal with Mr. Myerst here first.  Now, Myerst, my man, sit down in that chair—­it’s the heaviest the place affords.  Into it, now!  Spargo, you see that coil of rope there.  Tie Myerst up—­hand and foot—­to that chair.  And tie him well.  All the knots to be double, Spargo, and behind him.”

Myerst suddenly laughed.  “You damned young bully!” he exclaimed.  “If you put a rope round me, you’re only putting ropes round the necks of these two old villains.  Mark that, my fine fellows!”

“We’ll see about that later,” answered Breton.  He kept Myerst covered while Spargo made play with the rope.  “Don’t be afraid of hurting him, Spargo,” he said.  “Tie him well and strong.  He won’t shift that chair in a hurry.”

Spargo spliced his man to the chair in a fashion that would have done credit to a sailor.  He left Myerst literally unable to move either hand or foot, and Myerst cursed him from crown to heel for his pains.  “That’ll do,” said Breton at last.  He dropped his revolver into his pocket and turned to the two old men.  Elphick averted his eyes and sank into a chair in the darkest corner of the room:  old Cardlestone shook as with palsy and muttered words which the two young men could not catch.  “Guardian,” continued Breton, “don’t be frightened!  And don’t you be frightened, either, Mr. Cardlestone.  There’s nothing to be afraid of, just yet, whatever there may be later on.  It seems to me that Mr. Spargo and I came just in time.  Now, guardian, what was this fellow after?”

Old Elphick lifted his head and shook it; he was plainly on the verge of tears; as for Cardlestone, it was evident that his nerve was completely gone.  And Breton pointed Spargo to an old corner cupboard.