red Driggs.

"Yes," nodded Dexter.

"Go ahead, then, with the key, and open up."

The house stood at some distance from the road, and, in summer time,
would have been hidden from the road. The house had not been occupied in
a quarter of a century by any lawful tenant. It was a two story affair,
and had been originally built for the superintendent of a lumber and
milling camp. Beyond was a brook that had been dammed, furnishing good
water-power for all the year excepting in the summer months. By the old
water course lay the ruins of what had once been a saw-mill.

Running up the short flight of steps to the front door of the
dilapidated old dwelling off in the forests, Ab. Dexter produced a rusty
iron key and swung the door open.

"Where you going to put him?" asked Driggs.

"In the rear apartments, upstairs," answered Dexter, with a laugh.

Accordingly Dick was carried upstairs and into a roomy back apartment.
There were inside shutters that Dexter swung open while Driggs dropped
the breathing though unconscious Grammar School boy on the floor.

"Now, you'd better get that borrowed rig back in the part of the world
where it belongs," advised Ab. Dexter.

"I will," nodded Driggs. "But--say!"

"Well?"

"That Prescott boy is young, but he's tricky."

"I know that, don't I?"

"Then, when he comes to, you won't let him play any trick on you that
will give him a chance to bolt from here?"

"Not I," promised Dexter. "You needn't worry. There are too many
thousands of dollars at stake. Run along, Driggs. I'll do my part, here
on the scene."

Driggs went out. He had a long drive ahead of him. The point at which he
intended to abandon the stolen surrey was nearly ten miles from the
present spot. For the horse and surrey had been stolen from a farmer
known to be away for the day with his family. Driggs meant to abandon
the rig two or three miles from the farmer's home, and then return on a
bicycle which he had hidden near the spot.

As soon as Driggs had gone, Dexter bent over, tying Prescott's hands
more securely.

Soon after that Dick, still lying on the floor, opened his eyes.

CHAPTER XXIII

DICK MAKES HIS STAND FOR HONOR

Ab. Dexter's harsh voice jarred on the air.

"Welcome to our city, Prescott," he laughed.

Dick's first discovery was that the gag was gone from his mouth. He made
an effort to use his hands, but discovered that these were more securely
tied than ever.

"I hope you'll e