said. "I'll go tell Broom you're ready."

He crashed off through the undergrowth, and, with what patience they
could, they waited in the darkness.

They realized afterward that the waiting was a blind. No one had crept
up on them, but they were suddenly seized, each one from behind, so that
there was no chance at all for Durland and Crawford to use the pistols
that they held in their hands. Their assailants, as they guessed later,
had been waiting all the time for them, ready to spring, upon them as
soon as they were thoroughly off their guard. And in a moment they saw
Broom, an electric torch in his hand, which he directed at the faces of
the three prisoners in turn.

"You walked into the trap all right, didn't you?" he said to Jack, with
an ugly sneer on his face. "You was mighty smart this morning! Glad you
brought your friends along. They've bothered us, too. And now we've
caught you all together. That's much better, you see! You won't get in
my way again, any one of you!"

Suddenly he gave a curse.

"Where's the others?" he snarled. "The red-headed one and the little
shaver? I want them, too!"

"There weren't but the three of them," said the man who had served as
their guide. "I don't know where the others are."

"Well, it can't be helped," said Broom, with an oath. "I'll get rid of
these, anyhow."

"You'll spoil no more games of mine!" he told them. "Get the ropes,
there, men!"

"What are you goin' to do?" asked one of Broom's men.

"String them up," replied Broom, with a brutal laugh. "Hanging leaves no
evidence behind. No weapons--no wounds to show the sort of a blow that
killed. There's good advice for you, my friend. If you want to get rid
of an enemy, hang him!"

All three of the prisoners had been gagged. They had to stand silent,
now, while the rope was placed about their necks. They were all forced
to stand under the spreading branch of a big tree, and the ropes were
thrown over it.

"We'll let them swing all together, now," said Broom. "When I give the
word! Plenty of time, though! We'll let them have a minute or two to
think it over."

"NOW!" cried a voice in the woods beyond the small circle of light from
Broom's electric torch.

A second later the click of falling hammers fell on the air. And, even
as Broom turned, a dozen men stepped into the light, with leveled
rifles, covering every one of the gang that Broom had gathered to make
his trap.

"Fire if they make a single movement!