CHAPTER XV.
BLACK'S PLOT OPENS WITH A BANG "Some mistake here, gentlemen," interjected Tom Reade coolly.
"Unless I'm very badly informed I don't belong to either of you.
If anyone owns me, then I belong to the S.B.

& L." "I told you I'd make you settle with me for throwing me out of the camp," remarked Black disagreeably.
"You're not out yet---more's the pity," Tom retorted.

"You will be, however, as soon as the paymaster arrives." "You're wrong," jeered 'Gene.

"You're out---from this minute!" "What do you mean ?" Tom inquired, looking Black steadily in the eye.
Yet the young chief engineer had a creepy realization of just what the pair _did_ mean.

Black must have confederates somewhere in the mountains near.