Anything else?"

"No, but it's Number Three's turn after tonight."

"Very well; Number Three, take notice of that. Number Two, there are
but six of you here to-night. What of the other two?"

"A note was left at the foot of the tree. They could not come, for one
had business in New York and the other business in New Haven."

"Very well. Number Three, what of the goods you shipped to
Philadelphia day before yesterday?"

"I have a telegram that it was safely received and payment will be made
to-morrow."

"How much?"

"Two thousand dollars."

"That is fine. We are doing better than we did."

"I'll try to get more next time."

"Do so by all means. The more we get the better off we shall be and
the sooner we can retire. Number Four, what have you to report?"

"I haven't heard from Albany yet. I think I'll hear to-morrow."

"What have you to say, Number Five?"

"I met my man last night. He won't touch the stuff--says it is too
risky."

"Humph! What does he expect? A fortune for nothing? What have you to
say, Number Six?"

"I got a long letter from Denver. The man out there will take twenty
thousand dollars' worth at fifteen per cent."

"Didn't you tell him our rate was twenty-five per cent.?"

"I did, but he won't bite at that figure. He says he will go
elsewhere."

"Where can he go?"

"He didn't say, but he swears he can get the goods."

"Not as good as ours. However, let him have the stuff at fifteen per
cent. for the present."

There was a pause. "Now, has anybody got anything to say?"

"I have," spoke up the man called Number Three. "I say we must be
careful. That tragedy at the Langmore house has brought a lot of
detectives to this vicinity."

"Yes, I know that. One of them came over to the farm," answered the
leader, and now Adam Adams was sure he was Matlock Styles.

"Came to the farm? What did you say to him?"

"I put him off the track. He will never bother us again, to my way of
thinking."

"That's sure?" asked another of the men.

"Bloody sure."

"We must make certain--" began another of the number, when a noise
outside of the door caused an interruption.

So interested had Adam Adams become in the conversation that he had not
noticed the advance of two burly men upon him and he was not aware of
their presence until one pounced on his back and made him a prisoner.

"What's the row out there?" came from within the room.

"A spy, boys! Open the door and h