f our affair. We'll land near Westville, and watch our chance
to report."

It was about four o'clock when the two rascals beached the sloop in an
out-of-the-way spot just north of the village in which Ralph lived. No one
had seen their coming, and as quickly as they could they left the craft and
then sent her adrift.

Both of the men had worn wigs, and these they now cast aside, altering
their appearance slightly. Their guns and game-bags were hidden behind a
pile of decayed logs and then they sneaked through the woods toward the
hill at the extremity of Westville.

They waited about Squire Paget's house for nearly an hour and at last saw
that gentleman come out and start up the country road which led away from
the village center.

Presently the squire came to an old, disused cottage, which years previous
had been used as a road tavern. Here he halted, and the two men at once
joined him.

"It's done, squire," said Martin.

"Hush! not here," cried Paget, in a scared voice. "Come inside."

He took from his pocket a key and with it unlocked the cottage door. The
two men passed inside, and the squire of Westville immediately followed.

"Take a look about before you say anything," he said. "We must not be
overheard."

Martin's lip curled, but he did as requested, and Toglet did the same. Not
a soul but themselves was anywhere in sight.

"We're all right, squire," said Martin. "So we'll get to business without
delay."

"Exactly, exactly! And did you--is he--is he gone?" asked Squire Paget,
breathing hard.

"Yes, he's gone," returned Martin, boldly. "He went over the top of the big
cliff, and that is the end of him."

"You are sure it was the right boy?"

"Yes, he said his name was Ralph Nelson," put in Toglet.

"You saw him go--go down all right?" asked the squire, hesitatingly. "There
was no failure----"

"Not a bit of it," said Martin. "He went over into the rocks below and into
the water. He gave one scream, and that was all," he added, dramatically.

The squire shuddered. It must really be true. Ralph Nelson was dead!

"Very good," he said, in a hoarse voice. "Here is the hundred dollars each
I promised you. You shall have the other five hundred when--the body is
found."

"All right, but you'll have to do the finding," said Martin. "It's at the
bottom of the big cliff on the west side of Three Top Island. His cap is
among the rocks close by."

"And his boat----"

"We sent that adrift. If we are