own to a close shadow on us," said Oscar.

"Yes, and I am looking forward to the surprise we have in store for
them."

"It will be very enjoyable; but, Cad, I've been thinking."

"I call you down before you speak."

"What was I going to say?"

"You were going to say there was risk, and I must not scare it."

"Partner, you are a mind reader."

"I can read your mind when it runs in a generous direction."

"It is not a matter of generosity but of precaution. Those fellows look
like a desperate trio."

"Certainly, but they are off their guard."

"They are?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"Oh, you know well enough, we've acted so as to throw them off. Do you
know how they have measured us?"

"I have an idea. What is yours?"

"They think you are a flat."

"That's certain."

"They think I am playing you."

"Right again."

"They think a slight rap on the ear will send you squealing."

"Yes, that's correct."

"Then they will go through me, and as I am, as they believe, a thief
like themselves they fear no risk from me."

"Admitting what you say is true----"

"We will give them a great surprise."

"Sure, but after they discover their mistake----"

"It will be too late for them to do any harm. We will have them
flattened out, or we will have forgotten an old way of managing these
things. Oscar, it is a great thing to meet an antagonist who really
underrates you."

"That is true."

"And so in this deal I tell you I think we are on a better lay than we
are aware of. After we have downed these fellows we will know what to
do."

"Yes, we will follow them up."

"Certainly, and we will have a great lead."

Oscar and Cad lingered a long time at the table. They desired "wind and
tide," as we will put it, to be just right for them.

It was well on toward five o'clock when the confederate detectives rose
from the dinner table and walked down toward the beach. They walked very
slowly and all the time maintained the role they had started out to
assume. They passed the bathing pavilion, walked along beyond the
Oriental Hotel and then turned toward the beach at a point bordering on
the inlet, and there they halted and stood to admire the incoming waves.
Twilight was beginning to cast its lengthening shadows over land and
sea.

The men who were set to rob the couple meantime dodged along on their
trail, keeping far in shore toward the Sheepshead Bay, and their leader
was chuckling all the time. He said:

"Oh, co