“Let’s creep round,” whispered Hugh, under his breath, “and see if there is a window or anything we can listen through.”
They crawled round to the back of the shed, and, to their joy, saw that there was a hole in the wall of the shed, where some boards had slipped. Under this hole chanced to be a big pile of soiled straw and hay. Climbing softly up on this the Cubs crouched down, keeping their heads low.
“It’s quite safe to light up,” they heard Black Bill say. “No one ever comes this way; there’s no fear of being discovered or overheard.”
There was the sound of a match being struck and a lantern being lighted. Cautiously the Cubs peered through the hole, and found themselves looking down on two men, seated with their backs to the hole. The man who had opened the door to Black Bill was a sneaking-looking individual, with a foxy face and mean little eyes. By the light of the lantern they could see the eager expression on his face, and the ugly grin on that of Black Bill. Strange shadows danced in the flickering, yellow light, and a feeling of horror came over the Cubs.
CHAPTER XX
A CONSPIRACY OVERHEARD
“Well,” said the stranger, “’ave yer fixed it up?”
“Yes,” said Black Bill. “Crale, or Ogden as he calls himself now, will be at the cross-roads at 12.30. I had a talk with him this evening.”
The Cubs looked at each other. Mr. Ogden? What could it mean? They had come out to find Danny, but apparently they had got on the track of a bigger mystery than they had bargained for.
“We can turn into the wood,” said Black Bill, “and have our little talk with him there. I don’t reckon that it’ll take very long.” He grinned, showing a row of cruel-looking teeth.
“How did you get him to agree to come?” said the foxy-faced stranger.