in that
inner room. We'll get him to bed and give him something hot to
drink--that's all I can think of for the present."

Between them they managed to get Cardlestone to his bed, and Spargo,
with a happy thought, boiled water on the rusty stove and put hot
bottles to his feet. When that was done they persuaded Elphick to lie
down in the inner room. Presently both old men fell asleep, and then
Breton and Spargo suddenly realized that they themselves were hungry
and wet and weary.

"There ought to be food in the cupboard," said Breton, beginning to
rummage. "They've generally had a good stock of tinned things. Here we
are, Spargo--these are tongues and sardines. Make some hot coffee while
I open one of these tins."

The prisoner watched the preparations for a rough and ready breakfast
with eyes that eventually began to glisten.

"I may remind you that I'm hungry, too," he said as Spargo set the
coffee on the table. "And you've no right to starve me, even if you've
the physical ability to keep me tied up. Give me something to eat, if
you please."

"You shan't starve," said Breton, carelessly. He cut an ample supply of
bread and meat, filled a cup with coffee and placed cup and plate
before Myerst. "Untie his right arm, Spargo," he continued. "I think we
can give him that liberty. We've got his revolver, anyhow."

For a while the three men ate and drank in silence. At last Myerst
pushed his plate away. He looked scrutinizingly at his two captors.
"Look here!" he said. "You think you know a lot about all this affair,
Spargo, but there's only one person who knows all about it. That's me!"

"We're taking that for granted," said Spargo. "We guessed as much when
we found you here. You'll have ample opportunity for explanation, you
know, later on."

"I'll explain now, if you care to hear," said Myerst with another of
his cynical laughs. "And if I do, I'll tell you the truth. I know
you've got an idea in your heads that isn't favourable to me, but
you're utterly wrong, whatever you may think. Look here!--I'll make you
a fair offer. There are some cigars in my case there--give me one, and
mix me a drink of that whisky--a good 'un--and I'll tell you what I
know about this matter. Come on!--anything's better than sitting here
doing nothing."

The two young men looked at each other. Then Breton nodded. "Let him
talk if he likes," he said. "We're not bound to believe him. And we may
hear something that's true. Give him hi