"That they should take the risk of calling you up on the phone," explained Prentice.
"Things are getting rather hot for them," declared Forrester. "They realize it, and probably do not want to take a chance by staying near the tree for too long a period. The man warned me not to have any detectives at hand."
"He did!" ejaculated Prentice.
There followed a moment's silence while Prentice relit his cigar.
"Tell me, Bob," he requested, at length, "have you made any definite plans about tomorrow night?"
"Yes, I'm coming to your house for dinner for one thing," smiled Forrester.
"You know what I mean," said Prentice, seriously. "You have trifled with this 'Friends of the Poor' matter long enough. What have you decided to do—are you going to pay the money or fight?"
"Both," answered Forrester, laughing. He then explained to Prentice the major details of his own and the detectives' plans for Saturday night.
"And you mean to say, Bob," gasped Prentice, "that these detectives have actually located the 'Friends of the Poor'?"
"Not located them, exactly," returned Forrester, "but they have a very strong suspicion."