"Yes, sir, if you pay the price."
"You are Ralph Nelson?"
"Yes, sir."
"I heard you was trustworthy. You can be on hand here at eight o'clock to-morrow morning to take me and my friend out," went on the man.
"Yes, sir. Do you want any bait for fishing, sir?"
"No. We'll go for a sail, and possibly for a little hunting up on the island."
"All right, sir. I'll be ready for you."
The men walked off toward a neighboring saloon. Ralph did not much fancy their looks. He made up his mind that he would not have a very agreeable day with them.
But he was on hand promptly in the morning, and after telling Franchard of the engagement, took aboard the two men, who appeared each with a shotgun and a game-bag.
"Sail to the upper end of the lake, toward the big islands," said the spokesman, and Ralph steered in the direction, never dreaming of what that eventful trip was to bring forth.