"It'd be better if they'd stay away from Bayport," said Markel. "First thing we know, they'll be figuring the money is coming from here." "Why should they?" said Uncle Dock. "It's being sent around to the other towns as well as Bayport." "That fool Paul Blum mighty near gave the game away." "He can't say anything. He doesn't know where the stuff is coming from. I think he has an idea we're round the mill, but he isn't sure. He won't give us away." "Just the same," said Markel, "I'll be relieved when the whole thing is over and we can get out of here. This patent breakfast food story is all right for a while, but country people are too curious. The farmers are talking because we won't do any milling for them." "Let 'em talk. We'll be out of here by the end of the week. That last photo-engraving you made for us is a good one. It would take an expert to tell it from the original. We'll make fifty thousand dollars from that shipment of tens alone." "It's good enough," admitted Markel, evidently pleased with the compliment, "but I've said all along that our paper is too thin. It should have just a little more body to it. But it's too hard to imitate. The genuine banknote paper is a bit heavier." "What's the matter with you to-night, Markel?" asked Uncle Dock. "You have been nervous and jumpy all evening. First of all, you think you see some one sneaking around the mill. Now you're afraid we're all going to be pinched. By the end of the week we'll be out of here and living on the fat of the land. This is the biggest counterfeiting deal that has ever been put across in the United States. I'd imagine you'd be feeling proud of yourself. By the time it is all over we should be worth a quarter of a million dollars each." "All the more reason for being careful. You have to watch your step in a game like this." "And haven't we watched our step? Who would ever suspect this old mill? Why, there's Hardy, the detective, living right in Bayport. He has never suspected a thing. And the Federal dicks think we have a plant somewhere in the woods back of Barmet village!" "It was a good idea to take over the mill, I'll admit. But the sooner we're out of here, the better." "Well, the last batch of bills will be run off to-night. We'll clear out to-morrow morning and send down for the machinery as soon as we can." Frank nudged his brother. So the counterfeiters were planning an early escape! They peered through the cracks in the floor and watched the three men moving about as the press rumbled and bill after bill was added to the pile on the table. "Easier way to make money than working," remarked Uncle Dock, with a satisfied smile. "I'm going to take a trip around the world with my share," said the second man. "What are you going to do, Markel?" "I'll follow the horses. I'm going to visit every race track in America this year. I'll double my money." "You'll lose every cent of it." "No chance." Uncle Dock smiled.