"I am sorry for that, as I should be pleased to have companionship on my
lonely journey."

Having found out all that concerned his purpose, Bill changed the
conversation, and all of them being fatigued with hard riding throughout
the day, the three soon retired for the night. Bill and Dick roomed
together, and when alone the former said:

"Didn't I do it up about the right way, Dick?"

"Better than I expected; but, ---- me, if I didn't think you'd got on the
wrong track once."

"I knew what I was at all the time; but I saw you were scared."

"Well, what's to be done next?"

"We must get ahead of him, and do the thing up while he is crossing the
mountains, as Lieutenant Duffel suggested, and as I told you before."

"We can do that easy enough; but what do you think; shan't we make Duffel
side with us in the Duval affair for putting us to so much trouble?"

"Yes, and that is one reason why I wish to get through with this job as
soon as possible. We must get back in time for the League meeting somehow."

"We'll have to ride like the d----l, then; for the meeting is on Friday
night week."