ad in our hands. Would it be fair for
you to chip in and demand a big slice out of our hard-earned reward?"

There was no reply. Sparwick gazed straight at the table. There was an
expression on his face which his companions neither noticed nor
understood.

"I see you are taking a sensible view of it," resumed Bogle. "To come
right to the point, this is what Raikes and I will do: When the matter
is settled and we lay our hands on the money, we will give you five
hundred dollars--the original sum you had counted on getting. The
condition attached to this is that you remain here while Raikes is in
New York, and help me to guard these three lads. I'll admit that Raikes
promised you a thousand dollars, but he did that before he had a
chance to consult me. That's what I call square dealing. How does it
strike you?"

Sparwick had meanwhile seated himself. Now he rose and leaned across the
table. He shook his fist in Bogle's face. He glared at him with flashing
eyes and quivering nostrils.

"Liar! skunk!" he snarled. "Yes, an' you, too, Raikes. You're a pair
of cussed skinflints. You'd sneak out of your bargain, would you? You'd
offer me a dirty five hundred dollars to help do your dirty work, while
each of you pockets purty near five thousand? If you'd stuck to the
thousand you promised, you'd have found me fair an' square. But
now----"

Rage got the better of Sparwick. His right arm shot out and took Bogle
on the face with such stunning force as to topple him over backward. He
was quickly up again, with blood streaming from a badly smashed nose.

"Hit him, Raikes, hit him!" he cried, with an interlarding of
trooper-like oaths.

But before Raikes could make up his mind, a backhanded blow caused him
to turn a somersault over the bench. He was a plucky fellow, and as
quickly as possible he was on his feet.

The boys felt like cheering. They waited in keen suspense for the end
of the struggle. Would the result bring them freedom or captivity?

The next move on Sparwick's part was a sudden and unexpected one. He
dodged Raikes from the rear and sprang upon the table. He jumped down on
the other side and rushed toward the fireplace, his object being to
seize the rifles.

His enemies knew this, and they did their best to checkmate him. Bogle
thrust out his foot, and when Sparwick tripped heavily to the floor, he
threw himself upon his back.

He was instantly reinforced by Raikes, yet the two together were less
than a m