"Thanks," said Hal. "Now, as long as I have been doing the talking, I may
as well continue. We'll keep quiet until we are sure this traitor's men
are out of earshot and then we'll take possession of Mr. Nicolas and his
unearned gold."

A few moments later Nicolas re-entered the hut.

"Get rid of them?" asked Hal, briefly.

"Yes."

"Good. Then get busy and bring your gold out."

"Look here," said Nicolas, eyeing Hal somewhat angrily. "I don't like
your tone exactly."

"I don't exactly care whether you do or not," returned Hal quietly. "You
are pretty small fry in this game, Nicolas, and I'm not afraid of you.
Remember, if anything should happen to me, you'll have the German
government on your trail, and then what would you do for gold?"

Nicolas opened his mouth to reply; then thought better of it and closed
his lips without uttering a sound.

"All right, now that we understand each other," said Hal. "Get to work
and produce the gold."

Nicolas waited no further, but did as commanded.

"One," counted Hal, as the man drew from beneath the board a little