between us," Barton answered, in a petulant tone.

"It has not been fully talked over. I require to know, first of all,
precisely when, and under what circumstances, you and Sandy Flash came
together. There is more to come, so let us begin at the beginning."

"Damme, Gilbert, _you_ were there, and saw as much as I did. How could I
know who the cursed black-whiskered fellow was?"

"But you found it out," Gilbert persisted, "and the manner of your
finding it out must be explained."

Barton assumed a bold, insolent manner. "I don't see as that follows,"
he said. "It has nothing in the world to do with his robbery of you; and
as for Sandy Flash, I wish to the Lord you'd get hold of him, yourself,
instead of trying to make me accountable for his comings and goings!"

"He's tryin' to fly off the handle," Miss Lavender remarked. "I'd drop
that part o' the business a bit, if I was you, and come to the t'other
proof."

"What the devil have _you_ to do here?" asked Barton.

"Miss Betsy is here because I asked her," Gilbert said. "Because all
that passes between us may have to be repeated in a court of justice,
and two witnesses are better than one!"

He took advantage of the shock which these words produced upon Barton,
and repeated to him the highwayman's declarations, with the inference
they might bear if not satisfactorily explained. "I kept my promise," he