As the powder train approached Wikelipe, Kee Lung went ahead to find Ivan Snokoff. This was not difficult, as he knew exactly where the latter was hiding. A conference lasting an hour ensued.
"Do as you have promised and you shall have fifty yen," said Ivan Snokoff.
"You will not fail to pay?" queried Kee Lung.
"By the heads of my ancestors I promise it," was the rascally Russian's answer.
"'Tis enough. I shall do as I have promised," returned the Chinaman. And he bowed himself from Ivan Snokoff's presence. Left to himself, the rascally Russian rubbed his hands gleefully.
"Ha, I trust he is successful!" he muttered to himself. "Once Pennington and Russell are in the power of us Russians I shall show them what it means to insult and degrade a Snokoff!"
[CHAPTER XXIII]
THE ATTACK IN THE DARK
Two days later Gilbert and Ben were seated in their tent talking about the meeting with Larry when one of the guards came in and saluted.
"A messenger to see Captain Russell and Captain Pennington," said the guard.