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" the fellow who brought the package of silk to old Ames," whispered Zeph, staring hard from under covert at Slump.

"Yes, I recognize him," responded Ralph in quite as guarded a tone. "Quiet, now, Zeph."

Ike Slump and Mort Bemis continued to linger at the tree. They were looking at the wagon and beyond it.

"Say," spoke the former to his companion, "what's wrong?"

"How wrong?" inquired Mort.

"Why, some way our plans appear to have slipped a cog. There's the wagon broken down and the boy has gone with the horse. Two of our men were to stop him, you know, and keep him here while we used the wagon."

"Maybe they're behind time. What's the matter with our holding the boy till they come?"

"The very thing," responded Ike, and, leaving Rh