“How we gonna do it, Pappy?” asked Coon.
“Hain’t figured fer sure, but he’s the same as our prisoner, ain’t he? If we was to turn him over to the police, claimin’ we found him hidin’ out in the swamp, he couldn’t prove no different.”
“And we’d git $10,000 reward!” Hod added. “We could use thet money!”
“I hain’t one to double cross a pal if it can be helped,” Ezekiel amended hastily. “Now if Danny’s a mind to tell where he hid the money, and split, we’ll help him git out o’ here tonight.”
“And if he won’t cough up?”
“We’ll turn him over to police and claim the reward.”
To Penny, it now was clear Hod Hawkins had been with Danny Deevers at the time Jerry was slugged. Also, the conversation made it evident the escaped convict had sought a hideout somewhere near if not in the swamp.
Tensely, the girl waited for further details of the escape plan, but none were forthcoming. The three men applied themselves to their work and said no more.
“My best bet is to get away from here fast and notify police!” Penny thought.
Noiselessly, she and Tony retreated through the thicket to a shoreline some distance away.