“With pleasure,” laughed Saltash.  “I’m lucky to have met you here.  I was wondering how I should manage to break in.”

He went up the path before them with his careless tread, and waited whistling while Dick opened the door.

The lamp in the little hall was burning low, but it shone upon his ugly face as he entered, and showed him the only one of the three who felt at ease.  With royal assurance he turned to Dick.

“Well?  Have you got a table and pistols for two?  Great Scott, man!  You look like a death-mask!  Come along and let’s get it over!  Then perhaps you’ll feel better.”

Dick stood upright by Fielding’s side, listening to the taunting words with a face that was indeed like a death-mask—­save for the eyes that glowed vividly, terribly, with something of a tigerish glare.

He spoke at last with deadly quietness through lips that did not seem to move.  “Where have you taken my wife?”

“Oh, she’s quite safe,” said Saltash; and smiled with a fox-like flash of teeth.  “I am taking every care of her.  You need have no anxiety about that.”

“I asked—­where you had taken her,” Dick said, his words low and distinct, wholly without emotion.

Saltash’s odd eyes began to gleam.  “I heard you, mon ami.  But since the lady is under my protection at the present moment, I am not prepared to answer that question off-hand—­or even at all, until I am satisfied as to the kindness—­or otherwise—­of your intentions.  When I give my protection to anyone—­I give it.”

“Is that what you came back to say?” said Dick, still without stirring hand or feature.

“By no means,” said Saltash airily.  “I didn’t come to see you at all.  I came—­to fetch Columbus!”

He turned with the words, hearing a low whine at the door behind him, and opening it released the dog who ran out with eager searching.  Saltash stooped to fondle him.

Something that was like an electric thrill went through Dick.  He took a sudden step forward.

“Damn you!” he said, and gripped Saltash by the collar.  “Tell me where she is!  Do you hear?  Tell me!”

Saltash straightened himself with a lightning movement.  They looked into each other’s eyes for several tense seconds.  Then, though no word has passed between them, Dick’s hand fell.

“That’s better,” said Saltash.  “You’re getting quite civil.  Look here, my bully boy!  I’ll tell you something—­and you’d better listen carefully, for there’s a hidden meaning to it.  You’re the biggest ass that ever trod this earth.  There!”

He put up a hand to his crumpled collar and straightened it, still with his eyes upon Dick’s face.

“Got that?” he asked abruptly.  “Well, then, I’ll tell you something else.  I’ve got a revolver in my pocket.  I put it there in case the miners needed any persuasion, but you shall have it to shoot me with—­and no doubt Mr. Fielding will kindly turn his back while you do it—­if you will answer—­honestly—­one question I should like to put to you first.  Is it a deal?”