“But what will you tell them?”

“Oh, I do not know—­anything that comes into my head.  Don’t mind me, I’ll take care of myself.”

“But you will not; that is the whole trouble—­if I go now I lose you forever.  Billie, let me stay!”

She broke from me, stepping back into the room, yet there was a look in her eyes which made me desperate.  She did not love Le Gaire, she despised him.  I was certain of that, and more than half convinced her heart was already mine.  Should I run from the fight like a coward, sneak away in the night, leaving her to be sacrificed?  The very thought sickened me.  Better to meet the issue squarely—­and I believed I knew how it could be done.  I grasped the curtain, drew it down twice in signal, and stepped into the room.

“I am going to take command here now, Billie,” I said with new sternness.  “All you need to do is obey orders.”

CHAPTER XXI

WE CAPTURE THE HOUSE

If she was startled and frightened before, she was doubly so now at this sudden revolt on my part.  But I had no time then for explanation, only for the stern exercising of authority.  If I was right, if deep down in the girl’s heart there was love for me, she would forgive this action as soon as she realized its purpose—­aye! she would respect me the more for daring the deed.

“Don’t attempt to interfere now, my girl; go over to the big chair and sit down.”

My revolver was in my hand, and she saw it, her eyes wide open.

“You—­you are not going to hurt them?”

“No, not if they use any sense, but this is not going to be boys’ play.  Will you do as I say?”

She sat down, gripping the arms of the chair, and leaning forward, half inclined to scream, yet afraid to utter a sound.  Without taking my eyes from her, I slipped across the room to where I would be partially concealed as the door opened.  I knew what I was going to do, or, at least, attempt to do, and realized fully the risk I ran, and the chance of failure.  It would require daring and coolness to capture those in the house, without raising any alarm, and likewise the prompt cooperation of my men.  If they had seen my signal, and if I could disarm these first two, the rest should be comparatively easy.  There were steps in the hall, and the jingle of spurs.  Hardy entered first, his head turned backward as though he spoke to Le Gaire.  I saw the girl rise to her feet, but my whole attention was concentrated upon the two men.  The instant the space was sufficient, I forced the door shut, and stood with my back against it, the black muzzle of my Colt staring them in the eyes.

“Hands up, gentlemen!” I said sternly, “a movement means death.”

They presented two astounded faces, Hardy’s absolutely blank, so complete his surprise, but Le Gaire recognized me instantly, his mouth flying open, his eyes glaring.