In the encounter, owing to his exhausted condition, Lester lost
consciousness; and thus they left him, making him their prisoner by
turning the key in the lock again when they reached the outer room.
"And now," said Halloran, removing the square of black linen from his
face, "what's next on the programme?"
"Our friend, the cabby, will take me back to town with as much speed as
possible. You, my dear fellow, will remain here on guard, making
yourself as comfortable as is absolutely possible under the dismal
circumstances of keeping guard and circumventing any attempt of our
prisoner to escape. You know we have great need of him yet, in forcing
him to disclose much that is advantageous to us. We can starve it out of
him, if threats fail. As long as you have a good warm fire, plenty of
provisions and plenty to read here you ought not to complain. You are
having the easiest part of the bargain, Halloran, while I am doing all
of the hazardous work."
"What if I should be suspected in the _role_ I am about to play for the
Marsh millions? Why, it would mean State's prison instead of the fortune
we have planned for so desperately.
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