"But," said Sam, after a pause, "what has this to do with the two men we were talking about?"
"Everything," responded Stone. "Perhaps you have heard of the Warple Band?"
"To be sure I have."
"Well, the Warple Band are believed to have been for some time located in the 'Touchwood'; and now I feel certain about it, for the description you gave of the two men who were here answers exactly to that which I have obtained of the two leaders, from one of whom it gets its name."
"Do you think so?"
"I don't think at all about it—I'm certain!" added Stone, as he brought his fist down on the table with a thump.
"Well, what will be your next move then?"
"Ah! that remains to be seen," he added, with a far-away look in his eyes.
"Well, certainly appearances are deceiving, for I should never have taken the two fellows, who, as I told you, looked like trappers, to be the desperate characters you say they are."
"No; and yet they are wanted for some of the foulest and darkest of crimes."