ng?"

There was a brief pause. The boys looked on with thrilling and anxious
interest. They expected to see Raikes seize and overpower his comrade.

Imagine their surprise, then, when Raikes leaned over, and whispered a
few words into Bogle's ear. The two strolled amicably to the farthest
end of the cabin, where they sat down on a bench, and began to talk in
low tones.

Sparwick propped himself carelessly against the door, with his hands in
his pockets. He studiously kept his eyes averted from the bed. As for
the three lads--well, they were not a little puzzled by such strange
proceedings. They were at a loss to account for them.

"I hope what you told me is true," whispered Brick. "It don't look much
as if Bogle was a prisoner, though."

"No; it don't," admitted Jerry. "I'm afraid there's a hitch somewhere."

"Perhaps Raikes hasn't turned traitor, after all," suggested Hamp.
"I mean that he may have fooled Sparwick."

"I'm afraid you two fellows are the ones that were fooled," said
Brick. "It looks very much as though Sparwick had gone over to Raikes
and Bogle. Perhaps they promised him more money."

Jerry and Hamp exchanged quick, meaning glances. It suddenly flashed
upon them that Brick's suspicion was absolutely true.

Just then Jerry caught Sparwick's eye. He beckoned him to approach. But
Sparwick pretended not to see. He looked the other way.

Before the boys could utter another word, Raikes and Bogle rose from the
bench, and came across the room. Raikes paused in front of Sparwick, and
said something to him. Bogle came on to the bed. His face wore a
sneering smile of satisfaction.

"Give me those letters," he demanded of Jerry.

The lad hesitated. With a savage oath Bogle clinched his fist.

"The letters?" he repeated, "quick!"

Jerry realized his helplessness. He took the letters from his pocket,
and handed them to the ruffian.

"You're a mean, lying traitor, Kyle Sparwick," he cried, angrily.

"None of that," exclaimed Bogle. "Keep a civil tongue in your head, or
you will be sorry." He struck Jerry roughly on the face. Then he took
their rifles from the two lads.

"Stay where you are," he added. "Don't move."

The boys cowered before the ruffian's fierce words and manner.

Bogle crossed the room, and put the weapons on a shelf over the
fireplace. He strolled leisurely to the table, and perched himself on
the edge. Raikes and Sparwick drew a bench up to the opposite side, and
sat down.