“Why should that make a difference?” asked Ruth, coolly.

“Well—­you know how some of these rich folks be,” returned the boy, dropping his gaze.  “When it comes to hittin’ their pocketbooks——­”

“That has nothing to do with it.  Right is right.”

“Uh-huh!” grunted Jerry.  “But sometimes they don’t want to lose money any quicker than a poor man.  If he’s paid for the island——­”

“I don’t see how he can lose,” declared Ruth, quickly.  “If Blent has claimed a title that cannot be proved, Blent will have to lose.”

“I bet Mr. Tingley didn’t buy without having the title searched,” observed Jerry.  “Blent’s covered his tracks.  He’ll declare he was within his rights, probably having bought Uncle Pete’s share of the island through some dummy.  You know, when deeds aren’t recorded, it’s mighty hard to establish them as valid.  I know.  I axed our town clerk.  And he is one man that ain’t under Blent’s thumb.”

“I don’t believe Mr. Tingley is a man who would stand idle and see you cheated even if he lost money through defending you,” said Ruth, firmly.

“Do you know him?”

“No.  I have never met him,” Ruth admitted.  “But his wife is a very nice lady.  And Belle and the boys——­”

“Business is business,” interrupted Jerry, shaking his head.  “I don’t want Tingley to know where I be—­yet awhile, anyway.”

“But may I talk with him about you?”

“Why—­if you care enough to, Miss Ruth.”

“Of course I do,” cried the girl.  “Didn’t I tell you we all want to help you?” and she stamped her foot upon the warm rock.  “We’ll bring you food, too.  We’ll see that the constable doesn’t get you.”

“Well, it’s mighty nice of you,” admitted the suspicious young woodsman.  “Now, come on.  I’ll take you through my hide-out to the creek.  I told your friends you’d meet ’em there, and we want to get there by the time they arrive.”

“Oh, Jerry! that’s a long way off,” cried Ruth.

“Not so very long by the way we’ll travel,” he returned, with a laugh.

And this proved to be true.  Jerry lighted a battered oil lantern and with his rifle in the other hand led the way.

A narrow passage opened out of the back of this almost circular cave.  Part of the time they traveled through a veritable tunnel.  At other times Ruth saw the clear sky far above them as they passed along deep cuts in the hills.

The descent was continuous, but gradual.  Such a path wild animals might have traveled in times past.  Originally it was probably a water-course.  The action of the water had eaten out the softer rock until almost a direct passage had been made from the bottom of the cliff where Ruth had fallen to the edge of the swift stream that ran through the middle of the island.

They came out behind a screen of thick brush through which Ruth could see the far bank of the brook, but through which nobody outside could see.  Jerry set down the lantern, and later leaned the rifle against the wall when he had made sure that nobody was in sight.