"You can't, eh? It's the only thing you can do; Motoza insists that the price shall be ten thousand dollars, but I'll stick by the original agreement and call it half that sum."
"Let me see," said the cowman, thoughtfully; "you promise to give us back the younker safe and sound, provided his friends hand you five thousand dollars?"
"That's it; you understand the whole business. You know, of course, Hank, that I'm only acting as the friend——"
"Don't git over any more of that stuff, Bill. Are we to give you the money afore you produce the younker?"
"Certainly; that's the only way to do business."
"S'pose you bring him, and then I'll ask his folks if they want to make you a present of five thousand dollars—how'll that work?"
Tozer broke into laughter.
"You ought to be ashamed to talk such nonsense. The only way by which you can see your young friend again is to hand us the money, give a pledge not to ask any questions or try to punish Motoza or me——"
The jaw of the man suddenly dropped and he ceased speaking, for at that moment he saw Jack Dudley and his limping companion walk out from the cavern and smilingly approach.
The whole truth flashed upon him. He was outwitted as he had never been outwitted before in all his life. Without speaking a syllable, he wheeled around and started at a rapid stride across the plateau toward the point where he had first appeared, with feelings which it is impossible to imagine.