They nodded significantly.
"Good!" he resumed.

"You have told the truth--an excellent habit, and one that expedites business.

Now, is there a room in this house with a door that locks?
Your front door DOESN'T." "No." "No cellar nor outhouse ?" "No." "We regret that; for it will compel us, much against our wishes, to keep you bound as you are for the present.

The matter is simply this: circumstances of a very pressing nature oblige us to occupy this house for a few days,--possibly for an indefinite period.

We respect the sacred rites of hospitality too much to turn you out of it; indeed, nothing could be more distasteful to our feelings than to have you, in your own person, spread such a disgraceful report through the chivalrous Sierras.