“Yes. Ye jess wait and hol’ yer tongue, fer there’s sumthin bigger’n thet coming. Mercer has handed thet money and ’em papers over to the kid.” “We must get the money,” affirmed Rodney, unable to remain silent. “Shet yer jaw,” muttered Tim. “How do you think I’m going to chin so’s to make mysel’ heard with your potato trap rattling all the time.” This impudent speech succeeded in keeping the other quiet long enough for Tim to say: “Of course we are going to get it, and a bigger bundle o’ boodle along with it. Now comes the hair-lifting part. Dean Mercer has in his pocket, for I see him put it there a check for eight thousand dollars, with which to pay for that new boat. Jess think o’ thet--eight thousand dollars!” Tim’s eyes did not show greater expression of greedy anticipation than did Rodney Darringford, as he caught him by the arm, saying in a husky tone: “Is that all, Tim?” “As if thet isn’t enough.” “But did you find out how he is pay over this check and take possession of the boat?” “He’s to go to Brown, Sewall and Company, and pay over the check in the morning. I think he and that ol’ salt are to stay on the steamer to-night, but the Ellison kid is to go to his stopping place to-night, as soon as we get to Springfield.” Rodney Darringford was silent for what seemed a long time to Tim Downey. Then he leaped to his feet, saying: “I have it. Nothing could be easier. We’ll cooper the whole game.” “I’m fixed for the kid,” remarked Tim, who did not intend that anyone should get ahead of him in schemes redounding to his benefit. “By jove! no better than I am for Dean Mercer. I once swore the day would come when I would get even with him for his meddling with my affairs, and that day, or rather night, has come.” CHAPTER VI. THE EIGHT-THOUSAND-DOLLAR CHECK. The _Warrior_ reached the city at ten o’clock that night, two hours overdue, and Jack Carboy and Dean Mercer left the boat at once. “Where going, Dean?” asked Jack. “To a hotel, I guess.” “Oh! no, to the boat.” “The _Spray_?” “Why not?” “You know where it is?” “Certain! The engineer is aboard now. I can’t sleep on land.” “It is too late to see the shipbuilder or Mr. Durand, the lawyer, to-night,” decided Dean. “Yes, we’ll sleep on the boat to-night. I am very anxious to see it.” “You will come with us, Marcus?” “I do not feel as if I could. Mother will be anxious to see me, and I must hasten home as quickly as I can.” “That is right. You have the papers safely and the money. I hope there will be no delay in setting your father free. Can’t you run down and see us in the morning? The new boat will not start before nine or ten o’clock.” “Yes, I will run down; thank you. Good night.” “Good night.” So the boys parted, little dreaming what would happen to both of them before they should meet again, and under what circumstances that meeting would take place.