him that will stand him on his head and then
he'll advise him to beat it and the old chap will throw his arms around
Perky's neck and beg for protection. And Perky, with a reputation for
never deserting a pal, will seize him firmly by the hand and away
they'll go."

"_Where_ will they go?" Archie demanded tartly.

"That would be telling! Let it suffice that they depart in some haste.
Next I take the little girl into my care and start for the camp. You,
Archie, will remain here to watch Mr. Putney Congdon."

"I didn't come here with you, did I? They won't suspect me of complicity
or anything--oh, no!" moaned Archie.

"Bless you, my boy, I'm far less stupid than you think. I'm leaving here
at once and the little girl will be carried off with all circumspection.
My lines of communication are working splendidly and some of the keenest
wits in the underworld are assembling here and there to assist in my
various enterprises. The part I'm assigning you flatters your
intelligence. You are to watch Putney Congdon and follow him when he
leaves."

"Cut that rubbish and listen to me," said Archie, his voice quavering
with anger; "you can't play the fool with me in this fashion. You mean
to leave me here with a man I shot; and you think I'm going to _follow_
him! What if he never goes; what if he stays all summer!"

"He won't," the Governor answered. "He's going to follow that child of
his if it leads him to kingdom come. If you want to see your Isabel
again, follow Putney Congdon. You will of course be a model of
discretion, but--"

"Do you mean to say you'll tell him where you're taking his child? If I
didn't know you for a sober man I'd swear you'd been drinking!"

"Never more sober in my life, Archie. I shall not of course spoil the
joy of the kidnaping by taking Putney into my confidence, but after the
child's well out of the way I shall send him a wire telling him where
his daughter may be found--a gentle hint, but sufficient to tease his
curiosity."

Archie stamped his foot in impotent fury.

"You're leaving me here on this infernal farm, with a man I shot and
nearly murdered! And you'll wire him where you're headed for when you
haven't told me!"

"Steady, lad; steady! Don't forget that the underworld is a labyrinth of
mystery. I'm utilizing all my power among the brotherhood to pull off
this undertaking. All about us--" he waved his hand--"with their
functions duly assigned, are men I can trust and who trust m