I might
have known it would turn out this way--going in for this sort of
thing. It's the first bit of crooked business I ever tried," the
man said earnestly, "and it will be the last--believe me!"
"Who was the fourth man?" Tom repeated.
"Harrison," answered Kurdy, naming one of the most efficient of
the new machinists Tom had hired during the rush.
"Harrison, who has been working on the motor?" cried the young
inventor.
"Yes," said Ransom.
"I'm sorry to learn that," Tom went on in a low voice. "He was
an expert in his line. But what was your object, anyhow, in
attacking Koku?"
"We didn't intend to attack him," explained Ransom, "but he
came in when we were at work, and as he went for us we tried to
stand him off. Then your colored man heard the racket, and--well,
I guess you know the rest."
"But I don't understand why you came into this shed at night,"
went on Tom. "No one is allowed in here. You had no right, and
Koku knew that. What did you want?"
"Look here!" exclaimed Kurdy, "I said we'd make a clean breast
of it, and we will. We're only a couple of tools, and we were
foolish ever to go in with those fellows; or rather, in with that
Frenchman, who promised us big money if we succeeded.
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