“Have patience,” said Hornblower in a conciliatory voice; “it will all come right, for we’ve the game in our own hands.”

“Why the delay, then?”

“There’s fear of the police; they mixed in, and they’re bound to scoop us if they can, and cheat us out of the money.”

“There’s been a big reward offered by the guardians themselves?”

“Yes.  The officers have that as well as the glory of victory to urge them on, and they won’t let a chance slip.”

“Have you put it to the guardians strong?”

“You’d better believe I have.  I told them that at the first attempt they made to play us false, the boy would be sent home to them in a coffin.  They understand that.”

“Then, why don’t they play square?”

“They would if it wasn’t for the detectives.  But with the help of the parents I think we can pull through all straight.”

“In how long a time?”

“Two or three weeks.  In the meantime go on south, and I’ll keep track of you and let you know what to do.”

With these parting directions the conversation ended.  Mr. Hornblower produced a flask of whisky, the two drank each other’s health, and the visitor departed.

Shortly after Bob, the sailor, turned in for the night.

Chapter XV.

Jim Travers, as he lay in his hammock, overheard every word which the two men had said, and considerable more to the same effect.

Unusually bright and mentally strong as he was, he comprehended it all, and read the scheme as if in a printed book.

Hornblower, seeing him making his way along the wharf in New York, had formed the plan of abducting him, and then securing a large reward from the parents or guardian for his return.  Accordingly he stole and placed him in charge of his gang on the schooner, and then began negotiations with the guardians for his return.

Here a strange combination of circumstances came about.

One of the most pathetic facts that came to light regarding the abduction of Charley Ross, was the great number of other children that have been found who had been lost for months and years.

There can be no doubt that a regularly organized system of child-stealing prevails in this country, and there are at this hour hundreds of mothers and fathers separated from their beloved offspring through the deviltry of these kidnappers.

Hornblower must have supposed, from the appearance of Jim Travers, that he was the son of well-to-do parents, who would “come down” handsomely for his return.  The extraordinary part of the business was, that, on the morning succeeding Jim’s abduction, there appeared in the papers an account of the disappearance of a boy from Philadelphia, with the promise of a liberal reward for any information that would lead to his return.  This account did not correspond entirely with the circumstances under which Jim was taken, but the main facts were such that Hornblower was satisfied he had the right lad in his keeping.