Читать книгу At Large онлайн

17 страница из 80

“Take them, if you are going to,” said Dick, drawing a deep breath.

Sundown did take them pocket-book and all still covering his man with the rifle. The moon was rising. In the pale light the young fellow’s face was ghastly to look upon; it had the damp pallor of death itself. The bushranger eyed it closely, and halfdropped the bushranger’s manner.

“New chum, I take it!”

“What of that?” returned Dick bitterly.

“And not long set up shop?”

Dick made no answer. Sundown stepped forward and gripped his shoulder.

“Say, mate, is this hundred and odd quid so very much to you?”

Still no answer.

“On oath, now: is it so very much?”

Dick looked up wildly.

“Much? It is everything. You have robbed me of all I have! You have saved my life when I’d as soon lose it with my money. Yes, it’s all I have in the world, since you want to know! Do you want to madden me, you cur? Shoot me shoot, I tell you. If you don’t I’ll make you!” And the young madman clenched his fist as he spoke.

That instant he felt himself seized by the neck and pushed forward, with a ring of cold steel pressing below his ear.