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 my wrists and so help ye! Your wife lives—mayhap that news will help ye!"

"Fret not, Hitty! I can bear the pain, now!" But through his brave words the girl guessed the agony which he was bearing.

There was a crashing among the bushes and soon Jaffray burst through them, dragging Young Cy after him.

"Knave!" The boy's voice was hoarse from rage. "Ye have broken the word ye pledged Cunningham, to deliver us safe at Newark!"

Jaffray scowled. "So you, young turkey-cock, were about to escape! 'Tis lucky I decided to turn back this night!"

Mehitable ran forward. Young Cy stared at her.

"Why—why—Hitty!" he stammered. Then he turned furiously upon Jaffray. "Call thyself a man o' honor," he shouted, "and still make war upon women and children!"

Jaffray scowled again. "Wert thou the one to remove that gag, Sturgins?" he snapped.

Young Cy whirled swiftly. "So, Sturgins—you, too, eh! Ye were in league with Jaffray that day I fell gull to his trickery!"

"Why, so I was, master!" Sturgins opened his wide mouth gawkishly and grinned in the other's face. "What be going to do about it?"

"This!" Suddenly Young Cy swung his hands above his head. Too late the conspirators saw that those hands had been forgotten, that they were free. And not only free, but that a short, heavy club was in them!