Now, on that very afternoon when Ralph and his two friends, on their visit to Crab Tree Hill, were driven by the storm to seek shelter in that preserve, Horace Elgert and his companion Dobson, were standing in close consultation.  
And a very discontented, savage, and disconcerted pair they were, for things did not seem to be going right with them.
 
In the first place, that miserable five-pound note was still missing, and though the man at the cake-shop had promised that he would get it for them if possible, he had not yet kept his word; and while it was still in other hands both boys trembled with apprehensive fears.
 
They quarrelled over it, too, Elgert still declaring that, as Dobson had changed it, he would alone be to blame, and Dobson retorting by saying that he would confess that he received it from Elgert.
 
Then, added to this source of annoyance, there was the fact that, in spite of all their efforts, Ralph Rexworth was rising in his schoolmates' esteem, and his[Pg 223] influence, coupled with that of Warren and Charlton, was making itself steadily felt, to the diminution of their own powers.
 
"It seems to me," grumbled Elgert moodily, "that the fellows look upon trying to give a criminal up to justice as a crime. Some of them actually hissed at me—and why? Just because my father lent the police his pony and trap! I can't make out what is coming to them."
 
"They are just as down on me in the Fourth," answered Dobson. "There is no fun in the place now. All the kids have got to be coddled like a lot of babies; and if you catch one of them a smack on the head for being cheeky, there are a dozen fellows ready to take his part. Look how that little beggar Green cheeked me."
 
"Well, why didn't you give him a hiding? You were afraid to, that is the fact."
 
"Afraid yourself!" retorted Dobson angrily. "As if I should be afraid of him! You know that if I had done anything I should have had Rexworth and all his set about me, and a fellow can't take the lot of them. You don't care to meet Rexworth yourself, and you know it."
 
A dark frown gathered upon Horace Elgert's handsome face. Ah, how that frown spoilt all his good looks!
 
"Perhaps I don't, Dobson," he said grimly. "But there are better ways of getting even with Rexworth[Pg 224] than fighting; and I mean to try them all. Have you seen Brown again?"
 
"Yes," said Dobson.
 
And Elgert went on—
 
"Well, what did he say?"
 
"Only just what he has said all along. He has not been able to get it yet, but he thinks that he will. I tell you, Elgert, that I believe he is playing with us——"
 
"What do you mean?" cried Elgert sharply. "How playing with us?"
 
"Well, he either knows more than he pretends to, or else he suspects something. I don't think that he means to let us have that note."
 
Horace Elgert was silent for a few moments. Evidently he found that statement very disquieting.
 
"It will be a nice mess if it is like that," he said at last. "But it is no good worrying over it unless it comes. I will go and see him myself. You are a bit of a messer when it comes to doing anything. You don't seem to use your wits——"
 
"Can't use my wits to make him give me a thing which he has either not got or don't mean to part with," grumbled Dobson.
 
"You might have used your wits to make sure that he never got it. I did all the dangerous part of the work, and only left you something which was safe and easy, and you went and bungled it!"
 
"Oh, don't begin that all over again. I am sick[Pg 225] and tired of hearing of it. Whenever you have nothing else to grumble about you bring that up. Just drop it, or don't talk at all!"
 
Elgert saw that his companion was getting really cross; and though he despised Dobson at heart, he could not afford to quarrel with him, for the boy knew too much of his evil ways; so he affected to laugh at the angry words.
 
"Don't lose your temper," he said. "I never came near such a surly chap! A fellow can't speak to you without your taking offence."
 
"Well, then, drop it. I don't like having things thrown in my face like you throw that. It is done, and it can't be undone, so what is the good of talking of it?"
 
"You will find there will be some talking about it if ever it comes to light," was the grim answer. And Dobson looked miserable. How he wished now that he had never had anything to do with the wretched business.
 
"I wonder," mused Elgert, "what became of that fellow Charlton?"
 
"We'd best let that alone," retorted Dobson. "We have got ourselves disliked quite enough over it."
 
"What do I care for that? If only I knew where he was, do you think that I would hesitate to tell? I would do it, if it was only to spite Rexworth."
 
"It would not hurt him," answered Dobson. "It is not his father."
 
[Pg 226]
 
"No, but it is his chum's, and he would be sure to feel it. I only wish I knew where he was."
 
"But you don't," remarked Dobson.
 
"But I might find out. I only wish that I could!"
 
"Talk of angels and see their wings," said Dobson; and at this apparently vague proverb Elgert turned excitedly.
 
"Where? What do you mean? Not the man?"
 
"No," answered Dobson, with a shake of ............