“Now go! Keep your word, Golden George!”
With the last word the revolver and hand were withdrawn, and Golden George moved off without a reply.
“I wasn't mistaken!” Midnight Jack murmured, looking after the retreating figure. “It's only a question of time. One of us will have to kill the other some day. Now, Tanglefoot, look out for number one.”
Then he added, after a pause—
“The boy! I had almost forgotten him. I wonder if he understood my words? Tanglefoot intends to serve him like the wolf serves the fawn. When did that villain spare a captive?”
“Yes, when, Midnight Jack?”
The road-agent turned.
Rube Rattler stood before him, and the next instant the two friends met again.
The fearless adventurers walked silently to their lodge and entered.
There, standing in the gloom, they talked in low whispers.