The innkeeper opened his eyes and gazed at him blankly.

“Wake, you fool,” said Gunn, shaking him again.

The other roused and muttered something incoherently.  Then he stirred slightly.

“The nurse,” he whispered.

“She’s safe enow,” said Gunn.  “I’ve seen to that.”

He crossed the room lightly, and standing before the unconscious woman, inspected her closely and raised her in the chair.  Her head fell limply over the arm.

“Dead?” inquired Mullet, in a fearful whisper.

“Drugged,” said Gunn, shortly.  “Now speak up, and be lively.”

The innkeeper’s eyes again travelled in the direction of the nurse.

“The men,” he whispered; “the servants.”

“Dead drunk and asleep,” said Gunn, biting the words.  “The last day would hardly rouse them.  Now will you speak, damn you!”

“I must—­take care—­of Joan,” said the father.

Gunn shook his clenched hand at him.

“My money—­is—­is—­” said the other.  “Promise me on—­your oath—­Joan.”

“Ay, ay,” growled Gunn; “how many more times?  I’ll marry her, and she shall have what I choose to give her.  Speak up, you fool!  It’s not for you to make terms.  Where is it?”

He bent over, but Mullet, exhausted with his efforts, had closed his eyes again, and half turned his head.

“Where is it, damn you?” said Gunn, from between his teeth.

Mullet opened his eyes again, glanced fearfully round the room, and whispered.  Gunn, with a stifled oath, bent his ear almost to his mouth, and the next moment his neck was in the grip of the strongest man in Riverstone, and an arm like a bar of iron over his back pinned him down across the bed.

“You dog!” hissed a fierce voice in his ear.  “I’ve got you—­Captain Rogers at your service, and now you may tell his name to all you can.  Shout it, you spawn of hell.  Shout it!”

He rose in bed, and with a sudden movement flung the other over on his back.  Gunn’s eyes were starting from his head, and he writhed convulsively.

“I thought you were a sharper man, Gunn,” said Rogers, still in the same hot whisper, as he relaxed his grip a little; “you are too simple, you hound!  When you first threatened me I resolved to kill you.  Then you threatened my daughter.  I wish that you had nine lives, that I might take them all.  Keep still!”

He gave a half-glance over his shoulder at the silent figure of the nurse, and put his weight on the twisting figure on the bed.

“You drugged the hag, good Gunn,” he continued.  “To-morrow morning, Gunn, they will find you in your room dead, and if one of the scum you brought into my house be charged with the murder, so much the better.  When I am well they will go.  I am already feeling a little bit stronger, Gunn, as you see, and in a month I hope to be about again.”