Here, then, I had the real Tubal Ammon, so different from the sly, tale-telling wretch whom I had met beside the road; and here also was the real Ferguson. But of him I had already known so much that his present character seemed quite in keeping with my knowledge of him. And now the crackling of parchment and chink of gold was all that reached my ears. I lay there listening for a while, and then an overmastering desire came over me to look upon these workers of iniquity. Next moment I was moving like a serpent up the bank, holding my breath and fearful lest the very thumping of my heart might give the scoundrels warning and undo me. At last I gained the ridge, and, having paused a moment, took a cautious peep beneath a little bush. And there I saw a sight indeed. ’Twas worth the risk. The rays of a lantern, set within a cleft, fell on the wicked, red-blotched face of Ferguson, as he sat there, with knees drawn up wellnigh to his chin, poring over his ill-gotten gain; it fell, too, on the evil, cunning face of Tubal Ammon, as, crouching low, he counted up his money with a greedy care. And, midway between them lay the rifled box. Never have I seen a sight more diabolical, and ’tis, perhaps, small wonder that the thought came rushing to my mind: Two Satans, with the light of Hades on them! From my hiding-place behind the bracken I stared at them like one bewitched, till Ammon, having dropped the last gold-piece into a leathern pouch, glanced up at his companion. Then, fearing lest he might arise, I ducked my head and drew back down the bank a foot or two. "Right to a single piece," quoth Tubal, jingling the pouch. "I knew that well enough," growled Ferguson. "Have you a piece of cord wherewith to fasten up the box?" "Yes, by my life, here is the very thing," replied the other. "Truly my usefulness exceeds all reckoning." The chaplain murmured something which I did not catch, then, as it seemed to me, he folded up the papers, placed them in the box, and having tied the cord around it, said: "And now to further business, friend." "With all my heart; name it, I pray you," answered Tubal Ammon. "These Fanes, then; you have seen them both?" "Yes, more than once. Moreover, the coxcomb of a son I have twice come near killing." "Ah, and what kind of man is he?" "A great big lusty fellow, over six feet high. I owe him much, and will repay it. Yea, verily, his days are numbered." "See thou to that. ’Tis no concern of mine. I have no quarrel with the son. But the old man, the father, Ammon" (here he lowered his voice into an ugly whisper), "he who robbed me--str-r-uck me down--I would have vengeance on that man. Yea, I would have him swept from off the earth. Canst do it?" "Yes, easily." "How, then? By pistol, bullet, or by knife?" "Neither. I have a softer way than those, though no less sure." "What’s that?"