desperate—their actions show it—and they'll play you foul if they get half a chance."
"And to that advice let me add something more," said Stanley. "Don't trust Dudd Flockley. He pretended to reform for a while, but behind it all I think he is as bad as ever. If you gave him any information he may carry it straight, to those others."
"Thank you, Stanley, I'll remember that," said Dick.
"So will I," added Tom, and Sam nodded in approval.
"Welt, to let you in behind the scenes," went on Dick, to Stanley and Songbird, "I am not so much worried about ourselves as I am about Mrs. Stanhope and Dora and the Lanings. Sobber and old Crabtree want that fortune from Treasure Isle the worst way and they'll do anything to get hold of it. Koswell and Larkspur are probably short of funds, and, as they like to live high, they'll help Sobber and Crabtree all they can,—for a rake-off of the proceeds."
"I reckon you are right," said Songbird. "But what do all of them mean by blowing you sky high."
"That remains to be seen," said Sam.
"Or rather felt," added Tom, who had to have
