"You are punctual, Mr. Thorneycroft," said Ginger, who was one of the trio at the table; "and I'm happy to say, I've arranged everythin' for you, sir. My friends are ready to undertake the job. Only they von't do it on quite sich easy terms as mine." The Tinker and the Sandman coughed slightly, to intimate their entire concurrence in Mr. Ginger's remark. "As I said to you this mornin', Mr. Thorneycroft," pursued Ginger, "this is a difficult and a dangerous bus'ness, and there's no knowin' wot may come on it. But it's your only chance o' recoverin' your darter." "Yes, it's your only chance," echoed the Tinker. "Ve're about to risk our precious lives for you, sir," said the Sandman; "so, in coorse, ve expects a perportionate revard." "If you enable me to regain my daughter, you shall not find me ungrateful," rejoined the iron-merchant. "I must have a hundred pounds," said the Tinker--"that's my lowest." "And mine, too," said the Sandman. "I shall take nuffin' but the glory, as I said afore," remarked Ginger. "I'm sworn champion o' poor distressed young damsils; but my friends must make their own bargins." "Well, I assent," returned Mr. Thorneycroft; "and the sooner we set out the better." "Are you armed?" asked Ginger. "I have a brace of pistols in my pocket," replied Thorneycroft. "All right, then--ve've all got pops and cutlashes," said Ginger. "So let's be off." As he spoke, the Tinker and Sandman arose; and the man in the rough greatcoat, who had hitherto remained with his back to them, turned round. To the iron-merchant's surprise, he perceived that the face of this individual was covered with a piece of black crape. "Who is this?" he demanded with some misgiving. "A friend," replied Ginger. "Vithout him ve could do nuffin'. His name is Reeks, and he is the chief man in our enterprise." "He claims a reward too, I suppose?" said Thorneycroft. "I will tell you what reward I claim, Mr. Thorneycroft," rejoined Reeks, in a deep stern tone, "when all is over. Meantime, give me your solemn pledge, that whatever you may behold to-night, you will not divulge it." "I give it," replied the iron-merchant, "provided always----" "No provision, sir," interrupted the other quickly. "You must swear to keep silence unconditionally, or I will not move a footstep with you; and I alone can guide you where your daughter is detained." "Svear, sir; it is your only chance," whispered Ginger. "Well, if it must be, I do swear to keep silence," rejoined Mr. Thorneycroft; "but your proceedings appear very mysterious." "The whole affair is mysterious," replied Reeks. "You must also consent to have a bandage passed over your eyes when you get into the coach." "Anything more?" asked the iron-merchant. "You must engage to obey my orders, without questioning, when we arrive at our destination," rejoined Reeks. "Otherwise, there is no chance of success." "Be it as you will," returned Thorneycroft, "I must perforce agree."