“Red Muriel, eh? So he has dared to do that? How did he learn that it was there? Did you tell him? Look here, Harding, we must get it away from him. We must co-operate and we will divide. Is it a bargain?”
“Villain!” exclaimed Harding, contemptuously. “Do not compel me to refuse your audacious request again.”
“Then you refuse?”
“It is idle to talk with you.”
“Only consider. With that air-ship you could ferret out Muriel’s den, and it would be no trick at all to drive him from it.”
Harding turned to the cabin door.
The wily Vane, however, had only been talking to gain time.
The moment he had decided upon for action had arrived.
Quick as a flash he turned to his followers, and made a quick motion.
“Strike!” he cried. “Do not kill them, but capture them alive! Strike!”