ry during the next five
or six hours; but after that I am not so certain. Once his limbs become
cramped, and he is suffering pain, there's no knowing what the coward
might be brought to do. This much is true, however: when Job Lord visits
us each one must be on the alert, ready to spring upon him in case his
suspicions are aroused. At the first word or movement of his, betokening
the belief that we are keeping something from him, an attack must be
made. Don't wait each for the other; but let the first who sees aught of
danger jump upon the double-faced villain, and the rest will bear a
hand."

And this was the only plan we were able to form, although I dare venture
to say the four of us remained crouching in the corner discussing the
situation from every point of view, a full hour.

It had simply come to this, that we were to make another prisoner,
perhaps, thus adding to the danger that already surrounded us, and after
that had been done the chances for saving our own necks were no better.

It seemed to me as if I lived a whole life-time during the remainder of
that night, hoping Job Lord would come to put an end to the suspense,
and at the same time fearing he might do so.

Then, when the trap-door was finally opened I leaped up in surprise, as
if there had never been a thought in my mind that he would come, and,
being on my feet, must perforce do something to explain the sudden
movement, as well as hide the fear which I realized was written on my
face.

After we had finished whispering in the corner Hiram proposed that we
lay down on the bed, taking the dummy apart now it was of no further
use, and there we were stretched out at full length when the raising of
the trap-door brought me to a standing posture.

Luckily I had wit enough to continue on toward the fire-place as if bent
on doing something in the way of cooking, and had begun to rattle the
pans before Master Lord descended the ladder. Not until then did it come
to my mind that in the event of any trouble arising from this visit, I
was in a good position to deal out to Seth Jepson that which he
deserved.

"Getting hungry, eh?" Master Lord asked in an oily tone as he seated
himself on one of the stools by the table, and Hiram stretched himself
lazily as he replied:

"It must be late in the morning, and we are inclined for a bit to eat,
although we haven't earned it."

"That's right, make yourselves as comfortable as possible, and don't
worry about