ressing
themselves to our hero, asking him questions in a loud tone, but he was
not present to answer them. The questions were a part of his scheme to
mislead the men, and his purpose was to overhear what passed between the
men after they supposed that he and his companions had departed. He
relied, as stated, on the demoralization of the scoundrels, and his
position, as it proved, was well taken. The men did assume that he and
his party had departed and they commenced talking, and our hero was at
hand to overhear them talk. Girard was the first speaker.

"Great Scott!" he ejaculated, "who was looking for this? We are
boys--greenhorns--compared to that fellow and a tale is told."

"Yes, a tale is told," said Thatford. "We thought we had everything
dead under cover. We were proceeding in fancied security, but these
fellows have been on our track. This is not the scheme of a night. We
have met a setback that will keep us poor for six months. We will not
dare move until we ascertain just how far they are on to us."

"I knew something was up when we discovered that fellow shadowing
Wadleigh. It was a lucky discovery, and our experience to-night,
although rough, is a good play out in our favor. We know now just where
we stand; that is, we know to a certain extent our danger."

"Not altogether, nor do they know all. Otherwise there would have been a
close-in. They are on to us, but have no real points. Yes, Girard, this
little experience is a good one for us. All operations must cease until
our enemies are removed. We must go back to the old game and do a little
dropping out and make the road clear again."

"That is just what we must do. We certainly have some information for
our friends."

"We have; and there must be a meeting. All work must stop. Word must be
sent out all along the line."

"Yes, sir, and at once. When will Redalli return?"

"He should be in New York within two days."

"We need his headwork; that is certain."

"We do, and you say he will be in the city within a few days."

"Yes, and one more fact: we must throw up the lease of this furnished
house and seek new quarters. They have this place down."

"Well, this is only a fancy resort for us anyhow. Fortunately, there is
no evidence in this house."

"No, no; I never would have brought that fellow here if we had had any
evidence in the house, although I did not think for one moment that he
would do us up the way he did."

"He has our identities.