“Safest and most convenient place,” replied the Doctor, “He probably has had a special hole or cranny made for it, a double wall of some room, behind some picture or something like that.  I recollect a chap that had a picture in his room, fastened close to the wall just like that picture there,” and the Doctor pointed to the only picture in the house, a representation of the ranche painted by some wandering artist.  “It was a painting of a man’s face and by pressing the eye a spring was released and the whole picture swung back, showing a cavity back of it in which the old miser kept his valuables.”

Scip, who was always cutting some caper, here rose to his feet, saying

“Dunno, but mebbe Massa Swanson keep he truck behind that chromiow.  Heah now, I’se Massa Swanson,” and Scip imitated Swanson’s gait, “I’se playin’ poker wid you gemmen.  I’se out o’ cash; Massa Cummins thar, he got a king full, and lay ovah my bob-tail flush, I say, ’Hole on thar, Massa Cummins, I’se got to unlock de combinashun of my safe.’  Den I walk ovah to de picture, an’ I hit a crack with my fist, so Well, I be damned!”

The rest sprang to their feet in astonishment for, illustrating his remarks, Scip had struck the center of the oil painting with his hand, and stood dumb-founded, for the picture noiselessly swung forward and disclosed a large recess in the wall in which little sacks of some sort of money were piled one on the other.  Scip, who was evidently the most surprised one of the party, was, however, the first to regain his composure.  Pushing the frame to its place again the sharp click of the spring lock was heard, and turning swiftly around he caught meaning glances passing between Cummings and Moriarity.

“Humph!” he said to himself, “Swanson’s money is as good as gone now unless we nab these two rascals soon.”

The Doctor, who had reseated himself, remarked in a tone of wonder,

“Really, this is a most remarkable coincidence, most remarkable indeed.”

“Oh! shut up that mummery, Doctor,” broke in Cummings roughly, as he reared his head and squared his shoulders evidently intending to make a strike, “You and your nigger knew all about this, so you may as well own up.”

The Doctor, receiving a nod from Scip, leaned forward, his eyes fastened intently on Cummings and his voice sunk to a low whisper, replied: 

“And you may as well own up, too.  We’re all in the same boat.  That is just what you are here for, and if you think I am fool enough to loaf around this hole a week for nothing, it shows you don’t know me.  I need you two and you need Scip and myself.  Come, is it a bargain?”

In answer Cummings held out his hand.  The Doctor grasped it cordially and holding his left hand to Moriarity, who took it, said: 

“We four, for Scip is my pal, can do it Ok, We can—­”

“Why not do it now,” said Cummings, with energy.  “Our horses are here and we can put a whole day between us and the ranche before Swanson returns.”