designs; but as they had taken the precaution to throw off their usual
habiliments and character, and to assume the dress and address of
gentlemen, Hadley did not recognize them, though the impression fastened
itself on his mind, that he must have seen them and heard their voices
before, but where and when he could not remember.

The villains, from his musing manner, half suspected that he was trying to
call to mind who they were, and one remarked to the other that they had
better go out and see after their horses; but it was more for the purpose
of consulting about the affair they had in hand than for the good of their
beasts, that they wished to leave the house. When assured that they were
beyond hearing distance, said Bill to Dick:

"Well, we have treed the game at any rate."

"Yes, but I don't see as it signifies much if we have, for we can't keep
him treed, nor bring him down neither, in this place."

"But we know where he is, and that is something."

"I take it, it's but little. What can we do with him?"

"Why, we can get ahead of him and select our place for the next meeting,
and then--"

"How do you know that? We can't tell which road he will take."

"We'll find out, though."

"How?"