"You'd better believe I have. I told them that at the first attempt they made to play us false, the boy would be sent home to them in a coffin. They understand that."
"Then, why don't they play square?"
"They would if it wasn't for the detectives. But with the help of the parents I think we can pull through all straight."
"In how long a time?"
"Two or three weeks. In the meantime go on south, and I'll keep track of you and let you know what to do."
With these parting directions the conversation ended. Mr. Hornblower produced a flask of whisky, the two drank each other's health, and the visitor departed.
Shortly after Bob, the sailor, turned in for the night.
Chapter XV.
Jim Travers, as he lay in his hammock, overheard every word which the two men had said, and considerable more to the same effect.
Unusually bright and mentally strong as he was, he comprehended it all, and read the scheme as if in a printed book.