Darwood shot an angry glance at the boy.
“Go on,” he growled.
“From their conversation I inferred that perhaps you already had discovered this claim and were on your way with equipment to work it. I further understood that they were to be met by others on shore and that the party was then to divide up and cover the movements of yourself and your friends. One of these fellows, I think, overheard me telling part of this story to my friend, Ned, last night, and the man tried to throw me overboard, after nearly squeezing me to death and then punching my head. I merely wanted to warn you to be on the lookout, and at the same time to tell you that neither of the two men is on board now. You may draw your own conclusions, sir.”
Ned Rector’s face had flushed when Tad described the assault on himself.
“Is that all?” asked Darwood indifferently.
“Yes; I think so.”
“Thank you,” said the Gold Digger, getting up slowly and strolling forward.
Ned laughed; Tad flushed.
“That’s what you get for meddling with other folks’ business,” declared Rector.
47“I reckon you are right at that,” answered Tad. Then he laughed heartily. Nor did he exchange another word with the Gold Diggers of Taku Pass during the rest of that journey on the “Corsair.”