“The soft-foot, the rubber shoe won’t work now,” Tom decided. “If I were to go along as if trying not to run into anyone, and that pair got first sight of me, it would make them suspicious. I haven’t been eavesdropping—-oh, no! I’m merely out taking a night stroll to ease my nerves.”
Therefore the cub chief puckered his lips, emitting a cheery whistling as he trudged along up the trail.
As it happened the pair whom Tom sought had not yet parted. From behind a boulder a man stepped out in his path. From the other side of the boulder another man moved in behind him.
“Out for the air, Reade?” asked the sneering voice of ’Gene Black.
“Hello, Black—-is that you?”
“Now, Black,” broke in the voice of Bad Pete, “you wanted this cub, and he’s all yours! What are you going to do with him?”
CHAPTER XV
BLACK’S PLOT OPENS WITH A BANG
“Some mistake here, gentlemen,” interjected Tom Reade coolly. “Unless I’m very badly informed I don’t belong to either of you. If anyone owns me, then I belong to the S.B. & L.”
“I told you I’d make you settle with me for throwing me out of the camp,” remarked Black disagreeably.
“You’re not out yet—-more’s the pity,” Tom retorted. “You will be, however, as soon as the paymaster arrives.”