nnin' loose, an' if you give me a
fair show an' take these irons off, I'll find a way to get into that
mill and capture the mean rascal. He's more'n half drunk now, and I'm a
good deal stronger than I look. When the chance comes I'll know how to
use it. I'm talkin' on my honor now, an' mean what I say. You needn't be
afraid to turn me loose. I can't escape if I'd want to. You know that."

CHAPTER XXVII

THE BURNING OF THE MILL

There was no mistaking the sincerity of Bug's proposal, and coming, as
it did, at a time when Hocker and Jeffries were unable to decide on any
feasible plan of action, they were disposed to give a favorable answer.

"It ain't a bad idea," said Jeffries. "But how do you expect to get in
without being seen?"

"I'll find a way," returned Bug. "There air plenty of holes an' loose
boards."

"An' Moxley is watchin' them all, too," remarked Hocker. "Your plan
ain't very definite so far."

Bug hesitated, and before he could reply something occurred that totally
changed the situation.

"I see you again, you rascal," came the farmer's voice from the
hillside. "You can't fool me. Get away from that winder now."

Hocker and Jeffries exchanged glances of mutual understanding. The
latter quickly unlocked the bracelets and freed Bug's wrists.

"Now's your chance," he whispered. "Moxley is on the second floor. Slip
in before he comes down. There's a loose board just below that middle
window. There ain't time for more than one to get in or we'd follow
you. When you need us sing out. Here, take this."

He pressed a pistol into Bug's hand, and the latter bounded noiselessly
up the slope. He reached the mill, drew the lower end of a loose plank a
foot from its place, and vanished through the orifice.

Let us follow Bug on his perilous quest. Not until he was fairly inside,
and crawling on hands and knees over the rickety floor, did he realize
the great danger that lay in what he had undertaken to do. For an
instant he trembled with fear, and then the memory of his wrongs steeled
his heart and nerves.

A sudden noise overheard caused him to crouch midway on the floor. A
moment later the stairway creaked, and Moxley began to descend. His
progress could be noted as he passed the crevices in the wall.

Bug lay motionless, wondering what he should do next. The possibility of
being discovered made him tremble violently. He quite forgot that he had
a pistol.

Moxley had now reached the floor, and