Red Rob, after closing the entrance again, took the lead. He preceded them up a steep incline, and at length halted before an iron-bound door upon which he rapped loudly.
The next instant the door flew open, and they passed through into a chamber, created after the same manner as the gallery they had just traversed.
They found themselves in the presence of a dozen men, each of whom wore some sort of protecting mask over his face, evidently improvised for the occasion.
They knew they were in the presence of the gang of river pirates and that the trying moment had come.
CHAPTER VII.
The Examination.
The men who were assembled in the Rat-Hole were evidently expecting the arrival of their guests, for they had every appearance of readiness to receive them.
“Gents,” said Red Rob, when the iron bound door was closed and securely fastened, “'low me ter interdooce my friends, Sneaker an' Rattler, from Quakertown.”
A man who had been seated in the background stepped forward when Red Rob ceased speaking.
Nick knew instinctively that he was Gentleman George, and he wondered if he and George Hatfield were the same.