PART 5
"Who are you?" Nan demanded.
"Everybody, this is Will," said Dan. "An old friend from my street days in..."
Will interrupted the introduction. "This ain't no friendly visit," he said.
Nat swallowed and spoke next. "Will, it's good to see you again."
"So we have Nat here, too," Will sneered. "Nat the Gnat. The bothersome little bug, as I liked to say."
Nan was indignant. "Do you always talk to your friends this way?"
"I ain't askin' your opinion, little girl," Will growled, and the children's terror intensified as they caught the reflection of light off a drawn pistol.
"Will, is there something you want to talk about?" asked Dan, cautiously.
"I'm lookin' for Nick Riley. Got a little present for him from Jasper," he replied, nodding toward the pistol.
"Jasper?" Dan asked. "You've seen Jasper?"
"Spent some time with him in the penitentiary, before I broke out," Will explained. "He told me about how Nick ambushed him and hauled him to the sheriff, and asked me if I'd do him a favor."
"Jasper was robbing Mrs. Jo," Nan said.
Will scowled at Nan. "I don't need you buttin' in while I'm talkin'."
Dan took one bold step forward. "It's the truth, Will," he said. "He was gonna take Mrs. Jo's son with him as a hostage."
"Stay right where you are," Will warned, raising the pistol a little higher. "We ain't friends no more, remember? You're to blame for this too."
"How?" Dan challenged.
"You shoulda just left with Jasper when he invited you to join him on his trip out West," replied Will. "He offered you free tickets and everything."
"Things have changed," Dan explained. "I've decided it's more important to get a good education first."
"As I well know," Will said. "I've been hiding out in this house for the past two days. Been watchin' and spyin' and waiting for an opportunity to pay Nick back. Saw you carrying schoolbooks for that prissy girl."
"Her name is Bess," Dan frowned.
"I even peeked into your house one night and saw you sittin' around telling stories," Will laughed sarcastically.
"Rob's ghost in the window," Nan realized. Will glared at her.
"Enough of this talkin"," Will continued. "Time to get the job done. One of you is gonna to lead me to Nick."
"Nick ain't here," Dan said. "He went into town tonight."
"You're lyin'!" Will growled.
Nat found the courage to speak up. "It's true, Will. Nick is at the tavern right now with some of his old shipmates."
Will paused, seeming to ponder Nat's answer. "I guess you're tellin' the truth. Nat wouldn't have the guts to lie to a man with a gun."
"I told you we ain't lying," Dan said again, this time a bit more sternly. He took another step toward Will.
Will pointed the pistol directly at Dan. "Stop right where you are, and no tricks. Nobody move! Except the girl, who's gonna accompany me into town." He kept his glowering eyes fixed on Nan as he stooped to set the lantern on the floor.
Nan, glancing at the gun, reluctantly walked to the door and stood next to Will. How she wished she could speak her mind, but instead frowned and bit her lip.
Will grabbed Nan's hair from behind and pointed the pistol toward her. She gasped, but did not struggle. "Don't get any ideas about following me, or Miss Magpie here will pay for your foolishness."
He kicked over the lantern and backed out the door with the captive Nan.
The pool of spilled oil instantly burst into flames. The boys stared in horror at the spreading fire.
"We gotta get out of here!" Emil yelled.
PART 6
