“It must be Aaron Dietz, Kippenberg’s former business associate. So he’s the ringleader in this business!”
They listened, trying to hear the man’s reply to the question which had been asked.
“Yeah, everything’s all right,” he responded gruffly.
“You don’t sound any too cheerful about it.”
“Atherwald still won’t talk. Keeps insisting he doesn’t know where the gold is hidden. What bothers me, I am beginning to think we made a mistake. He may be telling the truth.”
“Say, this is a fine time to be finding it out!”
“Oh, keep your shirt on, Gus. You and Jake will get your pay anyhow. And even if Atherwald doesn’t know the hiding place we’ll make Kippenberg come through.”
“You’ll have to find him first,” the other retorted. “If you ask my opinion, you’ve made a mess of the whole affair.”
“No one asked your opinion! We’ll make Atherwald tell tonight or else—”
The man with the lantern started away from the dock but paused before he had taken many steps.