"And this is the man with whom I dined, and with whom, a few moments since, I was conversing freely!" thought Colonel Preston. The adventurer became impatient. "Colonel Preston," he said, abruptly, "produce that money instantly, or I will fire." There was no alternative. With reluctant hand the colonel drew out his pocketbook, and was about to hand it with its contents to the highwayman, when there was a sudden crash in the bushes behind Fairfax, his pistol was dashed from his hand, and our young hero, Andy Burke, with resolute face, stood with his gun leveled at him. All happened so quickly that both Colonel Preston and Fairfax were taken by surprise, and the latter, still retaining his hold upon the bridle, stared at the young hero, who had so intrepidly come between him and his intended victim. With an oath he stopped, and was about to pick up the pistol which had fallen from his hands, but was arrested by the quick, decisive tones of Andy: "Let that pistol alone! If you pick it up, I will shoot you on the spot." CHAPTER XIX BAFFLED A ROBBER Fairfax paused at Andy's threat. He was only a boy, it is true, but he looked cool and resolute, and the gun, which was pointed at him, looked positively dangerous. But was he to be thwarted in the very moment of his triumph, by a boy? He could not endure it. "Young man," he said, "this is dangerous business for you. If you don't make yourself scarce, you won't be likely to return at all." "I'll take the risk," said Andy, coolly. "Confound him! I thought he'd be frightened," said Fairfax to himself. "I don't want to kill you," he said, with a further attempt to intimidate Andy. "I don't mean to let you," said our hero, quietly. "You are no match for me." "With a gun I am." "I don't believe it is loaded." "If you try to pick up that pistol, I'll convince you; by the powers, I will," said Andy, energetically. "What is to prevent my taking away the gun from you?" "Faith," returned Andy, quaintly, "you'll take the powder and ball first, I'm thinkin'." Fairfax thought so, too, and that was one reason why he concluded not to try it. It was certainly a provoking position for him. There lay the pistol on the ground, just at his feet; yet, if he tried to pick it up, the boy would put a bullet through him. It was furthermore provoking to reflect that, had he not stopped to parley with Colonel Preston, he might have secured the money, which he so much desired, before Andy had come up. There was one other resource. He had tried bullying, and without success. He would try cajoling and temptation. "Look here, boy," he said, "I am a desperate man. I would as leave murder you as not." "Thank you," said Andy. "But I'd rather not have it done." "I don't want to hurt you, as I said before, but you mustn't interfere with me." "Then you mustn't interfere with the colonel." "I must have the money in his pocketbook." "Must you? Maybe, I'll have something to say, to that."