"Yes," cried Camp, "those letters are worth money, whether he's offered it or not." "Mr. Cullen never so much as hinted paying me," said I. "Well, Mr. Gordon," said Baldwin, suavely, "we'll show you that we can be more liberal. Though the letters rightfully belong to Mr. Camp, if you'll deliver them to us we'll see that you don't lose your place, and we'll give you five thousand dollars." I glanced at Fred, whom I found looking at me anxiously, and asked him,-- "Can't you do better than that?" "We could with any one but you," said Fred. I should have liked to shake hands over this compliment, but I only nodded, and turning to Mr. Camp, said,-- "You see how mean they are." "You'll find we are not built that way," said Baldwin. "Five thousand isn't a bad day's work, eh?" "No," I said, laughing; "but you just told me I ought to get ten thousand if I got a cent." "It's worth ten to Mr. Cullen, but--" I interrupted by saying, "If it's worth ten to him, it's worth a hundred to me." That was too much for Camp. First he said something best omitted, and then went on, "I told you it was waste time trying to win him over." The three stood apart for a moment whispering, and then Judge Wilson called the sheriff over, and they all went out together. The moment we were alone, Frederic held out his hand, and said,-- "Gordon, it's no use saying anything, but if we can ever do--" I merely shook hands, but I wanted the worst way to say,-- "Tell Madge what I've done, and the thing's square." CHAPTER XIII A LESSON IN POLITENESS Within five minutes we had a big surprise, for the sheriff and Mr. Baldwin came back, and the former announced that Fred and Lord Ralles were free, having been released on bail. When we found that Baldwin had gone on the bond, I knew that there was a scheme of some sort in the move, and, taking Fred aside, I warned him against trying to recover the proxies. "They probably think that one or the other of you knows where the letters are hidden," I whispered, "and they'll keep a watch on you; so go slow." He nodded, and followed the sheriff and Lord Ralles out. The moment they were gone, Mr. Camp said, "I came back to give you a last chance." "That's very good of you," I said. "I warn you," he muttered threateningly, "we are not men to be beaten. There are fifty cowboys of Baldwin's in this town, who think you were concerned in the holding up. By merely tipping them the wink, they'll have you out of this, and after they've got you outside I wouldn't give the toss of a nickel for your life. Now, then, will you hand over those letters, or will you go to ---- inside of ten minutes?" I lost my temper in turn. "I'd much prefer going to some place where I was less sure of meeting you," I retorted; "and as for the cowboys, you'll have to be as tricky with them as you want to be with me before you'll get them to back you up in your dirty work." At this point the sheriff called back to ask Camp if he was coming.