"How do I know?" Venner hurriedly rejoined, scarce above his breath.
"You heard what he said?"
"Yes, curse him, but I don't swallow it."
"Nor I."
"I can't see into his game."
"That's just my trouble," cried Venner. "Can he have discovered that we
recognize him?"
"Impossible! Pylotte is too cunning to have betrayed us in any way."
This was very true, in fact; but Venner himself had blindly done the
betraying.
"It doesn't matter, Rufe," Kilgore fiercely added. "We must get them
both."
"That's my idea."
"And it's all the easier to get them one at a time."
"Right you are, Dave."
"Has he discovered Pylotte?"
"Surely not!"
"Go back there, then," hissed Kilgore. "Learn what his game is, if you
can. Force him to show his hand."
"Leave that to me."
"Waste no time, however, and on no pretext let him leave the house to
return to the carriage."
"Not on our lives."
"A warning whistle will start Pylotte, and we'll be on hand to do our
part," added Kilgore, hurriedly. "Go back at once, and waste not a
moment in getting at his game."
"Trust me, Dave."
"We must land Nick Carter and get him away from here before that
running mate of his can make any move against us.
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