Part 49 (1/2)
”You'll find that out before you are many hours older,” answered Sobber, and turned away.
A quarter of an hour went by and the man who had met Koswell and the others outside of the cavern came back.
”Well, Jim, what about the other Rovers?” questioned Tad Sobber.
”Safe enough,” answered Jim Pally, with a grin.
”Where?”
”Down in the pool.”
”They slipped in?”
”They sure did.”
”I hope they won't drown,” went on Sobber, uneasily.
”Oh, they are safe enough. I heard 'em swimming around until they found the rocks to stand on.”
”Good enough. Now, what do you think we had better do with this one?”
”Why don't you make him join his brothers?” answered Jim Pally. And then he motioned Sobber to one side, out of d.i.c.k's hearing. A conversation in a low tone followed. Pally was telling Sobber they had better be on guard, since the Rovers might not be alone. Then he told of the meeting with Koswell, Larkspur and Darkingham; and the two went off to consult with Josiah Crabtree.
Left to himself, d.i.c.k tried his best to free himself of the bonds that held him. But the work of making him a prisoner had been done well, and all he did was to cut his wrists and his ankles.
When Sobber and Pally came back they were accompanied by Josiah Crabtree.
The former teacher and jailbird wore the same dictatorial look as of yore.
”Ha! so we meet again, Rover!” cried Josiah Crabtree, pursing up his lips.
”Mr. Crabtree, is it true that you have married Mrs. Stanhope?” asked d.i.c.k, bluntly.
”Well-er-we are as good as married, yes,” he stammered, taken somewhat off his guard by the suddenness of the question.
”As good as married? What do you mean?”
”I mean she has promised to be my-er-my bride as soon as we can obtain a-er-a minister to perform the ceremony.”
”You are forcing her into this marriage!”
”Not at all, young man, not at all! She is going to marry me of her own free will.”
”I do not believe it.”
”Ha! don't dare to talk to me in this fas.h.i.+on, Rover!” stormed Josiah Crabtree, glaring at the helpless youth before him.
”Will you let me speak to Mrs. Stanhope?”
”And poison her mind against me? Indeed not!”