"I see what's in your mind, all right. But it won't work, and you know it. You can have us arrested, yes--and lose your plunder. Parmenter's money belongs to the United States because it's buried in United States land. A word to the Treasury Department, with the old pirate's letter, and the jig is up. We'll risk your giving us to the police, my friend!" with a sneering laugh. "If you're one to throw away good money, I miss my guess." Croyden affected to consider. "I forgot to say, that as you're fixed so comfortable here, me and Bill might as well stay with you--it will be more convenient, when you uncover the chest, you know; in the excitement, you're liable to forget that we come in for a share." "Anything else you are moved to exact?" said Croyden. His ears were primed, and they told him that Macloud and Axtell were coming--"Let us have them all, so I can decide--I want no afterthoughts." "You've got them all--and very reasonable they are!" laughed Hook-nose. Just then, Macloud and Axtell stepped noiselessly into the tent. Something in Croyden's face caused Hook-nose's laugh to end abruptly. He swung sharply around--and faced Macloud's leveled revolver--Axtell's covered his pal. "Hands up! Both of you!"--Croyden cried--"None of that, Hook-nose!--make another motion to draw a gun, and we'll scatter your brains like chickenfeed." His own big revolver was sticking out of Macloud's pocket. He took it. "Now, I'll look after you, while my friends tie up your pal, and the first one to open his head gets a bullet down his throat." "Hands behind your back, Bald-head," commanded Axtell, briskly. "Be quick about it, Mr. Macloud is wonderfully easy on the trigger. So, that's better! just hold them there a moment." He produced a pair of nippers, and snapped them on. "Now, lie down and put your feet together--closer! closer!" Another pair were snapped on them. "Now, I'll do for you," Axtell remarked, turning toward Hook-nose. With Croyden's and Macloud's guns both covering him, the fellow was quickly secured. "With your permission, we will search you," said Croyden. "Macloud, if you will look to Mr. Smith, I'll attend to Hook-nose. We'll give them a taste of their own medicine." "You think you're damn smart!" exclaimed Hook-nose. "Shut up!" said Croyden. "I don't care to shoot a prisoner, but I'll do it without hesitation. It's going to be either perfect quiet or permanent sleep--and you may do the choosing." He slowly went through Hook-nose's clothes--finding a small pistol, several well-filled wallets, and, in his inside waistcoat pocket, the Parmenter letter. Macloud did the same for Bald-head.