us lots of trouble in other directions. I presume he would like to see
us all hung for the way we got ahead of him and his tools."

"If the steamer wasn't so far off we might hail her," continued Sam,
but this was now out of the question.

Both lads were very much disturbed, and with good reason. Arnold Baxter
had been an enemy to Mr. Rover for years, and this meant a good deal
when the desperate character of the man was taken into consideration.
He was a well-educated fellow, but cruel and unprincipled to the last
degree, and one who would hesitate at nothing in order to accomplish
his purpose.

"Dat's de wust yet," was Aleck Pop's comment. "I was finkin' dat
rascal was plumb dead, suah. And Dan, too! Suah yo' didn't see dat
good-fo'-nuffin boy?"

"No, I didn't see Dan."

"He must have been with his father when the landslide occurred," went
on Tom. "And if one escaped more than likely the other did, too. My,
how I despise that chap! and have, ever since we had our first row with
him at Putnam Hall."

"I wonder what brought Arnold Baxter back to this section of the
country? I shouldn't think he would dare to come back."

"He always was daring to the last degree in some matters, just as he is
cowardly in others. I would give something to know if Dan is with him."