Had they been mistaken in Royce's loyalty? It seemed so and, for an instant Bob condemned him bitterly, but the thought then struck him that it might be he was playing a deeper game, and he decided that he would withhold judgment until he was sure.
"All right, we'll consider yer' case an' let yer know in the mornin', meanwhile yer're a prisoner an' if yer try ter git away or anything yer'll get a hunk o' lead an' no questions asked. Git me?"
"I get you," Royce answered shortly.
Hains then called two of his men and the boys heard him give them orders to guard Royce during the night.
"An' if he gits away yer know what'll happen ter yer," he concluded.
They could hear the two men leading Royce away, and Bob wondered whether or not the man deserved the fate that had overtaken him. He wished that he could get a better view of the place so as to be able to make some plan but knew it would be too dangerous to get any nearer while the men were moving about. Snatches of singing in a subdued tone reached them from time to time, and they could tell by the sounds that a number were playing cards close by the fire. How long would it be before they would settle down for the night? Bob wondered after an hour had passed.
"It's about time to make a move, isn't it?"
Another hour had passed when Jack asked the question. They had crept back about fifty feet after the first hour had passed and they had learned nothing more, knowing that they would be safer and that the time would pass quicker if they could talk to each other.
"It's only ten o'clock," Bob replied after a glance at his watch. "I don't think we'd better do a thing till after twelve, and goodness knows what we're going to do then.'"
It was true they had been able to make no definite plan as they knew so little regarding the situation. That Sue was a prisoner was certain but as to whether she was guarded or simply tied they could only guess. It was fairly certain that at least one man would keep awake in order to be sure that Royce did not get away. They would take no chances in that direction after Hains' threat.