“It’s tremendous risky,” said the old man, with a shake of his head.

“Never mind, it’s got to be done,” said Bob. “Eighteen hundred dollars is a lot of money.”

“Yes, I must go back,” said Frank. “What would the firm say if the money was lost? They would most likely discharge me, and maybe say I gambled it away, or something like that.”

“Will you lend us a lantern?” asked Bob, turning to Larchmond.

“Certainly.”

“You need not go, Bob. I can go alone.”

“No, indeed, Frank; we stick together to the end.”

The old farmer left the sitting-room and presently returned with a lantern and a blunder-buss.

“You might as well take the buss along, too,” he said. “It’s a putty good shootin’ piece.”

“Thank you, but I think our pistols will do, if you have any cartridges around.”