member that big rock in Path Valley? It stands
just where the stream comes tumbling down the mountain side."

"Yes, I know the place."

"Well, that's where we'll pocket the money and turn over the prisoners,"
said Raikes. "This is Wednesday. I'll spend the night here, and go back
in the morning. You needn't start until early on Friday morning. You
must be at the rock as near sunset as possible that evening. I'll have
Glendale there in plenty of time."

"And Sparwick and I will do the same with the boys," replied Bogle. "The
way you put this thing through does you lots of credit, Silas. We'll be
well paid for all our trouble."

"It was cleverly managed, if I do say it myself," answered Raikes, as he
went on with his supper.

By this time the boys were through. Their arms were tied, and they were
ordered over to the bed. They crouched close together on the pine
boughs, and discussed, in low tones, what they had just heard.

"It's not the loss of all that money that worries me," said Brick. "I'm
thinking about poor Jerry. Don't forget that we swore to have the
murderers punished--if it takes a lifetime."

"I won't," replied Hamp, in a husky tone. "We'll begin just as soon as
we are free."

Finally the boys fell asleep. The three men sat about the fire, talking
and smoking, until nearly midnight. Then they put fresh logs on the
blaze, and went to bed. Bogle and Sparwick stretched themselves on one
side of the boys, Raikes on the other. In a short time all were
apparently sound asleep.

But Raikes was merely feigning slumber. From time to time his eyes
opened, and shot a stealthy glance about the cave. At the end of an hour
he sat cautiously up. He bent over the boys, and looked into Sparwick's
face. The latter was certainly sound asleep. His eyes were closed, and
his breath came deep and regular.

Raikes did not relax his scrutiny for nearly five minutes. Then he was
satisfied beyond a doubt. He now bent in the other direction, and softly
touched Bogle's face.

"Are you awake, Joe?" he whispered.

"Yes," was the reply. "I've been keeping awake on purpose. I thought you
had something to tell me."

"Well, I have. I didn't get a chance all evening. I've got to be brief,
so pay close attention."

"Hold on," whispered Bogle. "Is Sparwick sound asleep?"

"Sound as a rock," assured Raikes.

"Then, let's creep over to the fireplace, and talk there," added Bogle.

"No; he might get awake, and find us gone. Then