It required more courage to do that than to do anything he had ever attempted in his life.

The sweat poured out from under his armpits as the stranger stepped near; the blood rushed from his face as he stared into the eyes of Barry--eyes which now held an uncanny glimmer of yellow light.
"Sir," said Byrne huskily, "you must not go! Listen! Old Cumberland is calling to you again! Does that mean nothing?
If you have some errand out in the night, let me go for you." "Partner," said the soft voice of Barry, "stand aside.

I got no time, I'm wanted!" Every muscle of Randall Byrne's body was set to repulse the stranger in any effort to pass through that door, and yet, mysteriously, against his will, he found himself standing to one side, and saw the other slip through the open door.
"Dan! Are ye there ?" called a louder voice from the room beyond.
There was no help for it.

He, himself, must go back and face Joe Cumberland.

With a lie, no doubt.