"They asked me a few questions."

"Of course; and you answered the questions."

"Well, I-----"

"What did the men want to know about?" pressed Tom, the look in his
eyes growing sterner still.

"They wanted to know how many men Jim Ferrers had," admitted the
Drew boy.

"Oh, I see," pondered Tom aloud, a half smile creeping into his
face. "They were guessing the size of Ferrers's army, were they?"

"I---I guess so," Alf replied.

"And you told them-----?"

"I told 'em the camp was made up of you and Mr. Hazelton, Jim
Ferrers and myself."

"And then they gave you the tobacco for cigarettes, did they?"

"I made 'em gimme that first," Alf retorted, a look of cunning
in his eyes.

"So, my bright little hero, you sold us out for a toy bale of
cigarettes, did you?" demanded Tom Reade, staring coldly down
at the shame-faced youngster.