"On deck, pard!" came the answer of the cowboy. "You're in a nice row of stumps, I must say. Who's in there with you?"
"Grattan, Bunce, Goldstein, and Pryne."
"What's the layout?"
"I'm on a bench at one side of the room with one of the glass balls. Grattan stands opposite me with three more. If I throw the ball I'm holding, then I want you fellows to wait until it's safe to come in."
"Speak to me about that!"
Grattan was thoughtful.
"How did those fellows manage to find their way here?" he asked.
"Pryne had a sack of ground feed in the back of the wagon. I slashed it with my knife and we left a plain trail."
"Jumpin' Mariar!" breathed Pryne.
"You've hit it off nicely, Pryne!" scowled Grattan. "Annabelle ought to be proud of you for that. Bunce isn't the only fool I've been tied up with, this time." He turned again to the king of the motor boys. "You're deeper than I imagined, but you're a point shy in your reasoning, son. You'll not get the Eye of Buddha by proceeding in that fashion. I was dealing generously with you when I offered to trade the ruby for Goldstein's money."