g to risk his
life for the Radbolts. Let the rascals get off with the stuff, or as much
as they could carry! He was all right. Doctor Mary could testify that he
hadn't taken it. Let them carry off the infernal stuff! Incidentally he
would be well rid of the Sergeant, and free from any of his
importunities, from whines and threats alike; it was not an unimportant,
if a minor, consideration.

Yet it was a disgusting thing to do--it certainly was; and the Sergeant
would think that he had scored a triumph. Over his benefactor too, his
protector, Beaumaroy reflected with a satiric smile. The Sergeant
certainly deserved a fright--and, if possible, a licking. These
administered, he could be kicked out; perhaps--oh, yes, poor brute!--with
a handful of the Radbolts' money. They would never miss it, as they did
not know how much there was, and such a diversion of their legal property
in no way troubled Beaumaroy's conscience.

And the accomplice? He shrugged his shoulders. The Sergeant was, as he
well knew from his military experience of that worthy man, an arrant
coward. He would show no fight. If the accomplice did, Beaumaroy was
quite in the mood to oblige him. But while he tackled one fellow, the
other might get off with the money--with as much as he could carry. For
all that it was merely Radbolt money now; in the end Beaumaroy could not
stomach the idea of that--the idea that either of the dirty rogues in
there should get off with the money. And it was foolish to attack them on
the front on which they expected to be attacked. Quickly his mind formed
another plan. He turned, stole softly out of the parlor, and along the
passage towards the front door of the cottage.

After Neddy had dropped Mr. Saffron's scepter into Captain Duggle's grave
(had he known that it was Captain Duggle's, and not been a prey to the
ridiculous but haunting fancy that it had been destined for, or even--oh,
these errant fancies--already occupied by, Mr. Saffron himself, Neddy
would have been less agitated) Mike dealt with him roundly. In bitter
hissing whispers, and in language suited thereto, he pointed out the
folly of vain superstitions, of childish fears and sick imaginings which
interfered with business and threatened its success. His eloquent
reasoning, combined with a lively desire to get out of the place as soon
as possible, so far wrought on Neddy that he produced the sack which he
had brought with him, and held its mouth open, though with