“That is more than likely.  They have been watching their chance to attack us ever since we left the town.”

Slowly the hours wore away until morning dawned.  The positions of both Dick and his uncle were most uncomfortable ones, and the youth was ready to groan aloud at the strain put upon his shoulders through having his arms tied behind him.

At last they heard footsteps approaching from the opposite end of the rambling building.

“Somebody at last!” cried Dick.

He had scarcely spoken when Captain Villaire appeared, followed by —­ Dan Baxter!

CHAPTER XVIII

A DEMAND OF IMPORTANCE

Dick could scarcely believe the evidence of his own eyesight as he gazed at the former bully of Putnam Hall and the Frenchman who stood beside him.

“Baxter!  Is it possible!” he gasped.  “What brought you here?”

“Are you a prisoner, too?” put in Randolph Rover.

“A prisoner!” laughed Baxter.  “Well, that’s a good one, I must say.  No, I am not a prisoner.”

“And what brought you here?” went on Mr. Rover.

“Can’t you imagine?”

“He is in with these rascals who have captured us,” came quickly from Dick.  “This is how you repay our kindness, Baxter?”

“Your kindness?  Bah!  I want none of it.  Didn’t I refuse your offer, made just before you went away?”

“But you didn’t refuse the first money we gave you, Baxter.”

At this the bully bit his lip.  “We won’t talk about that, Dick Rover.  Do you realize that you are absolutely in my power?  How do you like it?”

“It was not you who captured us, Baxter.”

“Well, it amounts to the same thing, eh, Capitan Villaire?” and the big boy turned to the French brigand, who nodded.  “We collared you nicely.”

“What of Sam and Tom?” asked Randolph Rover anxiously.

“Ve will not speak of zem udders,” broke in Captain Villaire.  “Ve vill speak apout you.”

“Did Baxter put up this plot against us? queried Dick.

“To be sure I did,” answered Baxter, who loved to brag just as much as ever.

“And before I let you go I’m going to make you pay up dearly for all that I have suffered.  Captain Villaire, have you had them searched?” he asked, turning again to his companion.

“Yees, Baxter, but za had not mooch monish wid zem.”

“How much?”

“Only about a hundred pounds.”

“Then they left it behind at Binoto’s place,” was the quick answer.  “Now if those others aren’t captured —­”

“Hush, ve vill not speak of zat,” put in the brigand hastily.  “Tell zeni what I haf tole you.”

“All right, I will.”  Dan Baxter turned once more to the prisoners.  “Do you know why you were brought here?”

“To be robbed, I presume,” answered Randolph Rover.