“Well, I’m not working for love—or revenge,” chuckled Murker. “I want the cold cash.”
“So do I,” chimed in Whalen, “but I want revenge, too. It’s going to be a regular kidnapping, isn’t it?” and he looked at Professor Skeel.
“It will be if he can carry it out,” was the answer, with a nod at Murker.
“Oh, I’ll do my part,” was the assurance given.
“But won’t it be risky—dangerous?” asked Whalen. “I don’t want to get in trouble,” and he looked rather anxiously about him, as though already he feared officers of the law might be after him.
“There’s no more risk for you than for us,” spoke Professor Skeel.
“There won’t be any risk—not up in this lonesome place,” Murker said.
“But how are you going to make sure of getting Tom into our hands alone?” asked the rascally professor.
“Leave that to me,” was the chuckling answer. “I used to live in this region when I was a young fellow. Folks have forgotten me, but I haven’t forgotten them.”