“Yes. Some time the truth will come out, and of course the burning of the _Spray_ and the robbing of Mercer will be traced to me. As to Rodney, he must take care of himself. His father hired me to burn the _Spray_, and Rodney cashed the check for the eight thousand dollars. I shall make myself scarce.” “When?” “As soon as we recover the money from Crazy Meg.” “And these boys?” “Keep them prisoners.” “We can’t do that very long.” “Why not?” “It’s too much trouble.” “We can for a day or two, until we find this woman again.” “And then?” “Send Mercer back to the reform school, and get some of your friends in Springfield to take care of the other boy until we are safe out of the country.” Just then Spofford and Rodney returned from an unavailing quest for Crazy Meg. “No use to-night, Daley,” said Spofford. “We’ll wait till morning, then.” Two hours later the quartette was asleep, trusting to the stout bonds that secured their captives to prevent their escape. The two boys did not sleep, however. They strained and tugged at their bonds, but it was no use. They withstood all efforts to sever them. Finally Dean spoke cautiously. “Marcus.” “Yes, Dean?” “Look there.” “Where?” “On the ledge.” “A moving figure?” “Yes.” “It’s the woman.” “Yes; it must be Crazy Meg.” In the dim light they watched breathlessly the stealthy form that began to descend the ledge of rocks. It reached the last rock, and moved to where the boys were. CHAPTER XXXIII. IN OLD MEG’S CAVE. “Don’t speak!” whispered a low voice. The woman leaned over and bodily seized Marcus, lifting him in her powerful arms as if he were a mere child. She bore him up the ledge of rocks and disappeared, reappeared, and carrying Dean quite as easily, landed him on the cliff overhead by the side of Marcus. Both boys were too astonished to speak. The manner of the woman indicated an entire absence of any vicious or insane idea. She seemed to be acting from a friendly and coherent motive. She cut their bonds with a knife, and glanced fixedly at the boys. “Do you know me?” she asked. “Yes,” replied Marcus. “Who am I?” “They call you Crazy Meg.” “Ha! ha! Crazy! Yes, yes, they say so, and those men who tied you up are bad men?” “Terribly bad,” replied Marcus. “They want to rob Meg?” “Yes. They stole a lot of money and you got it.” “Did I? Ha! ha! You must get away from here. Do you want to?” “Yes.” “Then follow me.” Meg led the way along a particularly dangerous cliff path. It ended at a cave-like opening. “I have been your friend,” she said, “and to send you safely out of the way of those men to the other side of the valley I must take you through one of Meg’s houses in the hills.” “Thank you.” “Would you be bad enough to say anything about it or lead those bad men here?” “No, indeed.”