"'Have you lost anything?' asked she. 'Search in your overcoat
pockets.'
"I plunged my hand into the one nearest her and drew it out with
satisfaction; the roll of bills was there. 'I give you my promise,'
said I.
"'You will find a bill missing,' she murmured; 'for what amount I do
not know; the sacrifice of something was inevitable.'
"'I can only wonder over the ingenuity you displayed, as well as
express my appreciation for your bravery,' returned I with
enthusiasm. 'You are a noble girl.'
"She put out her hand as if compliments hurt her. 'It is the first
time they have ever attempted anything like that,' cried she in a
quick low tone full of shame and suffering. 'They have shown a
disposition to--to take money sometimes, but they never threatened
life before. And they did threaten yours. They saw you take out your
money, through a hole pierced in the wall of the room you occupied,
and the sight made them mad. They were going to kill you and then
tumble you and your horse over the precipice below there. But I
overheard them talking and when they went out to saddle the horse, I
hurried up to your room to wake you. I had to take possession of the
bills; you were not safe while you held them. I took them quietly
because I hoped to save you without betraying them.
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