“What arrangements have you made for the transfer?” asked Bogle.
“We’re to meet on Friday evening, three miles this side of Wytopitlock,” replied Raikes. “Do you remember that big rock in Path Valley? It stands just where the stream comes tumbling down the mountain side.”
“Yes, I know the place.”
“Well, that’s where we’ll pocket the money and turn over the prisoners,” said Raikes. “This is Wednesday. I’ll spend the night here, and go back in the morning. You needn’t start until early on Friday morning. You must be at the rock as near sunset as possible that evening. I’ll have Glendale there in plenty of time.”
“And Sparwick and I will do the same with the boys,” replied Bogle. “The way you put this thing through does you lots of credit, Silas. We’ll be well paid for all our trouble.”
“It was cleverly managed, if I do say it myself,” answered Raikes, as he went on with his supper.
By this time the boys were through. Their arms were tied, and they were ordered over to the bed. They crouched close together on the pine boughs, and discussed, in low tones, what they had just heard.
“It’s not the loss of all that money that worries me,” said Brick. “I’m thinking about poor Jerry. Don’t forget that we swore to have the murderers punished—if it takes a lifetime.”
“I won’t,” replied Hamp, in a husky tone. “We’ll begin just as soon as we are free.”
Finally the boys fell asleep. The three men sat about the fire, talking and smoking, until nearly midnight. Then they put fresh logs on the blaze, and went to bed. Bogle and Sparwick stretched themselves on one side of the boys, Raikes on the other. In a short time all were apparently sound asleep.