“Yes, until these campers came. Now that jig is up.”
“Yes, the whole business is up, I’m afraid. Well, let’s see what we can get out now before we’re found.”
Jack and his chums could hear the men moving about boxes and barrels. They seemed to be taking them outside. What was in the packages the boys could only guess. And Jack was wondering what he and his companions could do if the men in the cave should suddenly discover the presence of the intruders.
Jack peered out from behind his barrel and had a glimpse of a man moving about in the light of a lantern the criminals had brought into the cave with them. But the man’s legs alone were visible and Jack could form very little idea from them of how the man looked.
“Isn’t this enough for one load?” asked one of the men. “We don’t want a breakdown.”
“Oh, that machine will carry more,” declared another. “We did a fine stroke when we picked that up. I wonder if those girls have an idea where their car went to?”
“They’ll have one soon,” thought Jack, gritting his teeth. “The nerve of you!”
“Let’s go back and get that little numbering press,” suggested a man. “It’s too valuable to leave, and it won’t take up much room. Come on, and pick up what we can. The fewer trips we make, the better it will be for us. Come on.”
The light flickered and the footsteps of the men died away.
“I say Jack!” called Walter, after a moment’s pause.