The little fellow, when the detective left him alone with his companion, Crackers, felt lonesome. Jack could not explain satisfactorily to his own mind the depression of spirits. He found some liquor in the cupboard, and, although he imbibed quite freely, the feeling of heaviness and melancholy did not leave him. The sun was sinking behind the wood surrounding the hut, when the door was thrown open and Dell Ladley entered. Before going to Shea’s place, after leaving Elmer Greer, Dick Denton had called upon the girl and given her instructions to open negotiations with the banker’s family for his return. He had informed her of the location of their hiding place, and, without much difficulty, Dell was able to find it. “Hello, Jack, you here?” “Well, I seem to be,” replied that individual, “but I can’t say as how I like it.” “Where are Skip and Dick?” the girl inquired. “I don’t know; wish I did.” The door was flung open and Brodie and Denton entered. Skip was in a towering passion, as was also his pal. “Everything is all right,” said Dell, “I saw his daughter, a sweet girl, and she promised to pay the reward and will not prosecute. She will bring the money here or send it.” Brodie broke into a flood of profanity. “We can’t return the banker, worse luck,” remarked Denton. “Why?” “Because we have lost him, you jade,” cried Skip, “and the chances are we will not find him again. It is all your fault, Dick.” “I don’t see how you make that out,” said Denton. “I am sure I did not tell the fellow to run away with him.” “No, but you said the negro would act straight,” replied Brodie. “I did not like the fellow’s looks from the first.” “Admitting that I was wrong in my estimate of Sam Cole,” said Dick, “you should have watched him more closely if you were suspicious of him. The banker must have reached his car in some way. He did not learn from us who or what our captive was, and you may be sure he had a knowledge of Field’s importance before running off with him. You, and you alone, are to blame; did I not know you so well I should think that you and Sam had combined to dump me.” “Dick, I was drunk,” said Skip. “Well, it is no time for recriminations,” remarked Denton, “but I would just like to set my eyes on Cole. You can bet the gates of the nigger heaven would open to receive a permanent boarder.” “Suppose we were to enlist some of the coons down at the shore in the search?” suggested Brodie. “They would be more likely to get track of Sam than I.” “You couldn’t get one of them to stir or give you any information,” answered Dick, “the fellow has so terrorized them. He knows these woods thoroughly, and at the present moment he may be hid not a thousand yards away.” Sam Cole was not ten yards away. With his eye glued to the chink before used by Nick Carter, the negro took in all that was passing between the inmates of his cabin.