me; and then, too, I wish to be revenged on him
to the fullest extent; he likes the girl, and to know that she is in the
hands of another, who has entirely outwitted him, will be a source of
chagrin, and the spark to light the fires of jealousy."

"You don't intend to let him know that you have taken the gal!"

"Certainly I do!"

"And then have the whole League after us! A fine plot, truly!"

"League the h----! I tell you I'm going to blow the whole thing to nothing,
cave and all!"

"What!"

"When I leave this region there will be no League here. This cave will be
in ruins, and the whole order scattered to the four winds of heaven!"

"Are you crazy, Bill Mitchel!"

"No, I am just coming to my senses. Here we have been these many years,
doing all the most dangerous and daring work of the order--work that others
were too chicken-hearted to undertake--and what is our reward? We are
esteemed as the meanest of the Clan, and as being hardly fit to associate
with those who claim to be the gentlemen of the League. Why, I believe the
officers would cut our throats at any time to save themselves. See what
Duffel is after at this very time. Never was a man served more faithfully
than we have served him, and now that we have rendered him all the aid he
needs or desires at our hands, he would cut us off; aye, worse, he would
murder us--murder us as we have murdered for him. Do you think I would let
an opportunity to be revenged on him pass unimproved? _Never!_"

"But how are you goin' to do all this mighty work?"

"I'll tell you. The captain is away; I intend that Duffel shall be secured
by the officers of the law; the rest of the members I will take measures to
frighten; and when they resort to this infernal cave for refuge, counsel,
or concert of action, they will find it in ruins."

"How in ruins?"

"Isn't there powder enough in the magazine to blow it to atoms?"

"Powder!"

"Yes, _powder_! Is there anything in that explosive material that need
cause you to look so wild? I thought you were better acquainted with its
properties."

"I believe I begin to understand your intentions; but they don't exactly
chime with your plans of yesterday."

"Yesterday! I tell you I was only half awake then. I hadn't considered all
the sides to the question; and the more I think, the madder I get. I tell
you we have been imposed upon; and I am going to pay back the debt with
interest. I had another idea yesterday; but my plans wer