"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.
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