For some moments they continued on their way in silence, and at last Hardy said:
“Listen here, Templeton! Isn’t there some way we can fix this thing up? I know what will happen to me if I am taken back to the Sylph. If this thing had gone through I would have been a rich man. I am sure I can explain things satisfactorily to my superiors. Now you let me go and I’ll see that you are put in a position that will make you independent—that you are made rich.”
“Silence, you hound!” exclaimed Jack angrily. “One more remark like that, and I shall be tempted to shoot you anyhow. I have half a mind to, as it is.”
“Oh, no, you won’t,” was Hardy’s reply. “I know your kind too well for that.”
“Be careful,” said Jack, in a low tone, “don’t drive me too far.”
The silence that followed was broken a few moments later by Hardy, who uttered an exclamation. Jack followed the traitor’s gaze, and broke into a cold sweat.
From the rear came a body of infantry at a run. Jack drew his revolver and shoved it up against Hardy’s side.
“We’ll do a little running ourselves,” he said quietly. “Hustle, now, and remember I am right behind you, and that I’ll put a bullet through you at the first false move.”
Hardy, as he himself had said, was no fool. He realized that Jack meant business, and, in spite of his wound, that must have pained him greatly, he started off at top speed, Jack at his heels.
They were well beyond the town now, and from the condition of the road Jack knew that they were going in the right direction. Also it was growing dark, and Jack knew that it was necessary for him to reach the place where he had left the Sylph’s boat by nightfall.