“My, but ain’t I glad I overheard that talk!” burst out Bob, fervidly.

“What talk?”

“Lock the door, and I’ll tell you. But you must speak in a whisper.”

Frank locked the door and also bolted it.

“Now, in the first place,” began Bob, “have you a pistol?”

“I have; but what under the canopy does it all mean?”

“Casco is in this house.”

“By Jove! is that true?”

“And he and Raymond, the proprietor, have just hatched out a plot to chloroform and rob you.”

“You are joking!”