If at the end of the three days the Americans remained obdurate, he would invite them to take a little walk, and the affair would be terminated.
Ferralti hugged his revolver and awaited his opportunity.

It seemed to Uncle John that he might have had a hundred chances to shoot the brigand, who merited no better fate than assassination at their hands; but although Ferralti was resolved upon the deed he constantly hesitated to accomplish it in cold blood, and the fact that he had three days grace induced him to put off the matter as long as possible.
He came to regret most bitterly his indecision; for something in the young man's eyes must have put the brigand on his guard.

When they awoke on the third morning, which was the fifth since their imprisonment, some one had searched their rooms thoroughly.

The revolver and the knife were both gone, and the loss rendered them absolutely helpless..