They were all placed in a large, comfortable stable, and then the men proceeded to remove the figures from their backs.
Doc Clancy now began to grow very uneasy.
He began to think of what would happen when they discovered that one of the animals had a real man on its back.
But the villain was desperate, and determined not be killed or captured.
Watching his opportunity, he slid from his horse's back, and then quickly removed the rude bridle from its head.
"Now," thought he, "I'll lay low till these fellows go out. Then I'll sneak outside myself and see what sort of a place this is."
This was a successful move, the men not noticing the deception at all.
Fifteen minutes later they left the stable. It was now raining, but Doc Clancy determined to go out, just the same.
Pushing his way between the horses, who were now munching their evening meal in a contented manner, he at length reached the door.
"This is a pretty tough night to go out, when you have nice, dry quarters like this to stay in; but I must see what sort of a place I am in, and work a way to make myself welcome," muttered Clancy, as he buttoned his coat about his neck.