[CHAPTER IX.
A DARING PLOT.]
“Let me assure you, in the first place,” said Tibbits, still keeping his revolver prominently displayed, “that no harm is intended either of you lads. You are to remain here in these comfortable surroundings for a week. At the end of that time you will be released, and can make your way back to New York.”
“Guess again about that,” spoke up the cowboy. “There are important doings for me in New York Wednesday, and we’ll have to tear ourselves away from you by to-morrow afternoon, at the latest.”
“You’ve got to stay here a week,” insisted Tibbits.
“You don’t understand,” went on McGlory. “There’s a meeting at the office of Random & Griggs Wednesday evening, and I’ve just got to be there. That’s all there is to it.”
Tibbits fixed his glittering eyes on McGlory for a moment.
“That excuse won’t do,” said he. “You can’t make up a yarn like that out of whole cloth, and expect me to swallow it.”
“Sufferin’ blockheads!” grunted McGlory. “There, read that.”
Jerking the colonel’s letter from his pocket, McGlory tossed it to Tibbits.