"Get what?" asked Leigh, mystified.
"That wonderful paper money which belongs to the Holy Three."
"Holy Three be hanged," replied Leigh. "I got it from my bankers,
Rose."
The young girl was then questioned, and stated that amongst the
treasures of the Community was a box which had formerly belonged to her
father, and of which she had been deprived by the Holy Three; and this
receptacle was, she averred, filled with this paper money, which her
grandfather had, her father said, obtained in exchange for gold dust.
"Why then, Rose, you are an heiress," said Grenville, laughing, "and we
must get you back your inheritance."
"I don't want it," said the impulsive girl; "I will give it to you if
you can get it, Dick; but don't run any risks, I implore you."
Wondering inwardly where the old Mormon could have found the opportunity
of converting his gold into English bank paper, Grenville resumed his
operations, and for the instruction of Leigh drew on the back of the
note a small plan of East Utah and its principal streets and offices,
and then in an undertone said a few words to his cousin which made the
other turn pale with fear and dread.
"The scheme is a grand one, Dick," he at length gasped out; "but even if
it succeeds, I don't see how you personally can possibly make your
escape from the town. Don't risk it, old man," he pleaded; "we can't
afford to lose you. And if you got caught, what am I to do? I shall
never be able to keep these scoundrels off, or get Dora and Rose out of
the country with only the Zulus to help me."
"Now, Alf," replied Grenville, "you know I always make my mind up
beforehand, so it's no use you arguing; besides, I really think I can
escape from the place. Remember, the confusion created will amount to a
positive wholesale panic, and a man less or more in the streets will
never be noticed. Moreover, if the plan succeeds, it will mean at all
events practical immunity from interference in the future, and will
probably result in our finding an exit from the country. Of this I am
determined--either I will find a way out or I will make one."
In vain Leigh urged his view of the question--our hero had indeed come
to a determination, and met all opposition, remonstrance, and entreaty
with the same inflexible resolve.
His cousin next pleaded to be permitted to share the danger, but neither
would Grenville allow this.
"I will," he said, "risk no one's life or liberty except my own upon
such a fearfully hazardous expedition. I intend that Amaxosa shall
accompany me inside the walls, to carry my heavy armour; and when once I
have reached my destination, he will return to you. And remember, Alf,
that if I happen to be taken or killed before or, possibly indeed, after
the execution of my project, the Mormons will at once deliver a
tremendous attack upon your position. Keep them off as long as you can
with the rifles--for I shall leave you mine, as also my revolvers--and
then when they are massed together and absolutely climbing the rock,
light those infernal machines of theirs and throw them into the crowd.
Let the fuses burn at least thirty seconds before you throw them down,
though; and I guess you won't have much more trouble with the Mormons.
And if you, or I, or both fail, God help us, old man."
"You don't mean to tell me you are going unarmed amongst those devils,
who are raging for your blood?" remonstrated Leigh.
"Not a bit of it," was the reply; "I'm going to take that heavy revolver
of Myzukulwa's. If needful, it will come in handy as a club after it is
emptied. Besides, my game this time is not fighting, but hiding and
then running; and I am specially anxious that should I have the ill-luck
to fall into their hands, they may not along with me obtain any of our
own modern weapons of warfare. Had I not had the luck to drop Radford
Custance before he had time to hand your Winchester over to the
community, we should all have gone under a month ago. Let me tell you,
these fellows are not bad shots--remember the man who nearly dropped us
in the Pass; and above all, don't forget poor Winfield's end."
"I see, nothing can move you," groaned poor Leigh.
"No earthly consideration will induce me to forego the attempt, Alf,"
was the quick reply; "so help me, instead of seeking to divert me from
the end I have in view; and above all do not mention my project to the
girls. It will be time enough for them to hear it when the result is a
matter of history."