"You still haven't told me what we're doing out here in this God-forsaken neck of the woods," I whispered.
"Shh!"
I rolled my eyes and settled back against a tree, waiting.
Momentarily Holmes scrambled back to me, seating himself on the ground.
"Well?"
"The last member of the gang is riding up the road now," he whispered, removing his revolver from his pocket.
I checked my own weapon, choking down the nervousness that always appeared when the denouement of the case was near.
"What is your plan, Holmes?"
"We shall let them all get inside the inn – should all be in the front room there."
"But we can't take out an entire room full of ruffians – it's too risky!"
"I know. You shall secrete yourself in the bushes just outside the door and wait for the action to start."
I looked at my friend suspiciously, not liking where this conversation was heading.
"What will you be doing?"
"Drawing them all out of the inn. It will be easier to take them in the open air, without any cover for them to hide. Wait until they are all after me, and then –"
"I certainly will not!"
"Watson –"
"We shall both draw them out or none at all. I will not stand by while you allow yourself to be mere bait."