The men—there appeared to be at least three—approached the outer circle of rocks in the center of which the two young men were hidden. Then, as the lull of the storm continued, Tom and Ned, to their surprise, heard the name Cunningham mentioned.
"Did you get that?" whispered Ned.
"Yes," Tom cautiously replied.
"Wonder if it's the same bird who wanted you to work for him."
"Might be. Keep quiet and listen."
What connection Cunningham's name had with the present activities was not made clear, nor was it spoken again. But one of the men, evidently more cautious than his companion, said:
"Don't be so free with names."
"Why not?" came the question.
"You never know who may be listening. Those fellows are somewhere in these woods."
"Yes, and they'll be here for some time if they depend on that shebang of theirs to take 'em out," went on another voice.