"
"I may," answered Mr. Sprague, letting his glance rest calmly
on his big companion. "Suppose we buy one together."
Colonel Braddon laughed, but felt that his joke had not been
successful.
The conversation languished after awhile. It was such hard
work riding in a lumbering coach, over the most detestable roads,
that the passengers found it hard to be sociable. But a surprise
was in store. The coach made a sudden stop. Two horsemen
appeared at the window, and a stern voice said: "We'll trouble
you to get out, gentlemen. We'll take charge of what money
and valuables you have about you."
CHAPTER XXXIII
TWO UNEXPECTED CHAMPIONS
It may well be imagined that there was a commotion among the
passengers when this stern summons was heard. The highwaymen
were but two in number, but each was armed with a revolver,
ready for instant use.
One by one the passengers descended from the stage, and stood
trembling and panic-stricken in the presence of the masked robbers.
There seems to be something in a mask which inspires added terror,
though it makes the wearers neither stronger nor more effective.
Luke certainly felt startled and uncomfortable, for he felt that
he must surrender the money he had with him, and this would be
inconvenient, though the loss would not be his, but his employer's.
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