“Oh, all right, then,” retorted Mudd. “I’ll hold my tongue. Stick to your friends, the Eglintons, young feller, only let me tell you one thing, it was old Tom Eglinton who hired me to kill you--that’s straight.” It was a most awkward situation for Dick. Poor Clara was terribly overcome by the charge brought against her father, and it took all Dick’s tact and shrewdness to put her at her ease again. Charley took it all in and said but little, reserving his comments until they had reached the hut and disposed of their prisoner. The sun was now sinking behind the hills and night coming on. Dick scanned the opposite shore of the lake through his glass, but could see nothing of Doctor Dan. Things at the hut were exactly as they had left them, and as there was no possibility of leaving it before morning, Dick proceeded to make his arrangements accordingly. Mudd was put in the loft and his feet tied as well as his hands. The wily schemer made a vigorous protest against it all, but Dick would not listen to him, and he closed the trapdoor, which communicated with the loft, and left him to himself. As Clara was very much fatigued, Dick suggested that she take possession of one of the bunks in the lower room and lie down, which she did shortly after dark. As for the boys themselves, they had no other idea than to stand guard until morning. The night was just perfect; the air soft and balmy and every star seemed to be out for business. Arm in arm, Dick and Charley walked up and down the shore in front of the hut discussing the singular adventures which had befallen them, but it remained for Charley to bring the conversation back to Martin Mudd. “You don’t say much about that wild talk he made, Dick,” Charley began. “Don’t take any stock in it, I suppose?” “Why, of course not,” laughed Dick. “It’s mere bluff.” “I don’t feel so sure about that,” said Charley, musingly. “I believe that there is something under it all.” “Guess not,” replied Dick, carelessly. “The mean wretch! He wanted to make poor Clara feel bad, that’s all. To-morrow, just as soon as it is light, we must all start down the mountain and get around to the other side of the lake. Doctor Dan shall decide whether we go back to Node Ranch with our prisoner or not, but I think it’s the best thing we can do.” “Suppose we build a big fire and let the Doctor know we are here?” suggested Charley. “Yes, and let that scoundrel Tony know, too, and perhaps half a dozen others. No, thank you. I don’t care about that. We’ll let well enough alone.” For a few moments the boys continued to pace the shore in silence and then Charley broke out again. “I can’t get away from it, Dick,” he said. “I think you ought to listen to what Mudd has to tell.” “Oh, I’ll listen all right,” replied Dick. “Trouble is he won’t talk now.” “No; you’ve got him mad. Say, Dick, you never told me much about your folks. I know your father and mother are both dead, but----”