Page 42 - In A New World
P. 42
"But they have gone in different directions," objected Jack.
"Bless your simple heart, my boy, that’s done on purpose," said Obed.
"Can’t they fetch round together without our knowing it?"
"I didn’t think of that," Jack admitted.
"Mr. Stackpole," said Harry after a moment’s thought, "if you and Jack will
keep each other company, I will explore a little myself. I may happen to be
at the conference."
"Be careful if you do, Harry," said Obed. "Don’t run no risk."
"I’ll look out for that."
In the rear of the house, and almost reaching to it, was a forest of
eucalyptus trees. It was unfavorable to Harry’s purpose that these trees rise
straight from the ground, and are not encumbered by underbrush. It was
very pleasant walking though, and Harry sauntered along at his leisure. He
almost forgot the object of his enterprise, until some half an hour later, in
the stillness of the woods, his quick ear caught the sound of voices.
He was instantly on the alert. The voices, he doubted not, were those of
Dick Fletcher and Larry Linton. He moved forward cautiously, and soon
espied the speakers. They were sitting on the ground, under the
overreaching boughs of a gigantic tree. Harry managed to get near enough
to listen to the conversation, being himself concealed from view behind the
trunk of a neighboring tree.
"Is there much money in the party?" he heard Linton ask.
"I can’t tell you. The boys haven’t got much, but that long-legged Yankee
has probably got considerable."
"What sort of a man is he?"