men were in a mood where the truth would
serve him in sad stead. He had no knack as a liar. He understood how
little chance he had of convincing those shrewd knaves by his inept
falsehoods in that extremity. He had already meditated on the plan of
running away from Wagg. His reasons for escaping from this intolerable
baiting were now threefold.

"It's too near sunset for a job that will take us a long way through the
woods," he blurted.

"I'll admit I'm so tired I can't count money till I've had a night's
sleep," confessed the short man. "But you make your promise now and
here, Mr. Cashier. When?" He emphasized the last word.

"To-morrow!"

"A promissory note--dated and delivered. Don't let it go to protest.
That's language you can understand, Mr. Bankman."

Vaniman walked off toward the cabin and the three men followed him.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE SHOW-DOWN

His troubles and his trials had not wholly dulled youth's sense of the
ludicrous in Vaniman. He sat down that evening to the meal that had been
prepared by Guard Wagg, late of the state prison, for three fugitive
convicts, also late of that institution. The chimney of the kerosene
lamp was smoky and the light was dim, therefore Vaniman's grin was
hidden from his companions. Undoubtedly it would have produced no
especial wonderment in them if they had noted his cheerful visage. They
were decidedly cheerful, themselves. Mr. Wagg was no longer exhibiting
the official side of his nature; he was receiving compliments on his
biscuits. The three who had aligned themselves against Vaniman seemed
to be getting along in a very friendly fashion, being bound by a common
interest.

From biscuits in hand the conversation passed to the prison fare in
retrospect. Wagg admitted that the fare was a disgrace to the state.
From that point it was easy to go on and agree with the short man and
the tall man that the prison was mismanaged generally and that a man was
lucky in being able to get away from such a place--no matter whether
he was a guard or a prisoner. The incongruous friendliness increased
Vaniman's amusement.

He looked at the two knaves who had recently enlightened their victim in
such a matter-of-fact manner. He admitted that the comedy overbalanced
the tragedy, in view of the fact that the job had resolved itself into
petty sneak-thievery. Taking into consideration the trick money they
had found, there was considerable farce in the affair. However, Vaniman,
l