“I do not care.  I’ll deny it to Nannie, say the woman is crazy, and one by one the family will drop off until she only remains, and then she’ll get the property.”

“You are sure it’s coming to ’em, Hugh?” asked one.

“I am so sure that I drew up the will of Vennor’s brother four years ago, when I was practicing law in Chicago.”

“He may have changed his mind.”

“Nonsense; he died shortly after, and the will says if Richard Vennor was not found, and the fortune turned over to him, within five years after Robert Vennor’s death, the fortune was to go to charity.

“Now I kept the secret dark, came out to look up Richard Vennor, and having found him, shall marry his daughter and get all!”

“Your wife will give you trouble.”

“I wish you to get rid of her then, and I’ll pay well for it.”

“We’ll do the job, and help you all we can,” said one, and the second one of the pair whom Billy did not recognize, echoed his comrade’s sentiments.

“Well, Hugh, we found Lucy was trailing you, and hearing you was about to strike it rich, concluded we’d come and post you for old friendship’s sake.”

“And I’ll pay you for it; but we must not be seen together, so I’ll wait here while you ride on to Leavenworth, and in an hour I’ll follow you.”

This agreement seemed satisfactory, and two horsemen rode away, after a few more words, while Hugh Hall threw himself down upon the grass to rest.

For awhile Billy Cody was very nervous at what he had heard; but he soon grew calm, and having waited until he knew the two men were more than a mile away, he cautiously stood up upon the log and glanced over the bank.

Hugh Hall was fast asleep, and his horse was feeding near.

Noiselessly Billy drew himself upon the bank and approached the man, his faithful revolver held in his hand.

“I wonder if it would be wrong if I killed him, when he is such a villain!” he muttered.

“Yes, I won’t do it; but I’ll make him go straight to Mr. Vennor and I’ll tell him all I heard.

“Here, Hugh Hall, farmer Vennor wants to see you.”

The man sprung to his feet, his hand upon his revolver.

But Billy had taken the precaution to get behind a tree, and had the drop on his rival.

“Oh, it’s you, you accursed imp of Satan,” cried the man angrily.

“Yes, it’s me, and I want you to go to Mr. Vennor, for I’m going to tell him all I heard you say,” said the boy boldly.

Hugh Hall knew Billy’s reputation as a fearless boy and a sure shot, and he saw that he was in great danger; but he said quietly: 

“Well, I was going to the farmer’s and we’ll ride together.”

“No, I’ll ride and you’ll walk, for I came down the stream fishing to-day, and haven’t got my pony.”

As quick as a flash the man then drew his pistol, and firing, the bullet cut the bark off the tree just above the boy’s head.