Part 36 (1/2)

”We'll take a look around before we begin to waste our powder,” put in Toglet.

In truth, neither of them had come to do any shooting. They were afraid that a shot might attract attention should other sportsmen be in the vicinity.

Ralph was rather disappointed. Had he had a gun he could easily have brought down one or more of the fowls. He considered it a most excellent chance lost--a chance that might not occur again that day.

Still it was not his place to pa.s.s any remark concerning the decision of his two pa.s.sengers, so he remained silent, and plodded along over the rocks and through the brush, until, half an hour later, he came out on a gra.s.sy plateau overlooking a magnificent stretch of water.

”Here we are at the top of one end of the mountain,” he said. ”You can see a good many miles from here.”

”That's so,” said Martin. ”What is below at the base of this cliff?”

”Rocks and water,” returned Toglet, as he peered over. ”It must be a hundred feet to the bottom.”

”It is more than that,” replied Ralph.

Martin and Toglet exchanged glances, and both nodded. This was as good a place as any for the accomplishment of their purpose.

”Hallo! what's that?” suddenly cried Martin, pointing across the lake.

Ralph looked in the direction, stepping close to the edge of the cliff as he did so.

”I don't see anything unusual----” he began.

He got no further. The two men pushed up against him roughly, and before he could save himself he was hurled into s.p.a.ce. A second later he disappeared from the sight of the two men.

”He's gone!” cried Martin. ”Easily done, eh, Tom?”

”It was, Sam. Let us look to make sure he went down.”

They peered over the edge of the cliff. Nothing was to be seen of Ralph.

”There's his cap down on the rocks by the water,” said Toglet. ”He has gone clean out of sight. Come on away; the job is finished.”

And without another word, these two villains in crime hurried from the spot down to the other side of the island, where the sloop had been left.

CHAPTER XXV.

SQUIRE PAGET'S NEWS.

Martin and Toglet were very white when they reached the sloop, and the younger man trembled from head to foot.

”What's the matter with you?” asked Martin, with a forced laugh, as they got on board.

”No--nothing,” stammered Toglet.

”You've got a bad case of the shakes.”

”Well, to tell the truth, that's the worst job I ever tackled, although I've accomplished many that were tough enough.”