“Now,” said Professor Skeel, and the sneer on his face grew more pronounced, “we’ll talk business!”
“Oh, no, we won’t!” exclaimed Tom, quickly.
“We won’t?” and there was a sharp note in the man’s voice.
“I’ll have nothing to do with you,” went on Tom. “You brought me here against my will, and you are liable to severe penalties for what you did. As soon as I can get to an officer, I intend to cause your arrest, and the arrest of those two miserable tools of yours.
“I’m not at all afraid—don’t think it. You can’t keep me here for very long. Sooner or later I’ll get out, and then I’ll make it hot for you! That’s just what I’ll do—I’ll make it hot for you!”
During this little outburst on the part of Tom, Professor Skeel sat staring at his prisoner. He did not seem at all frightened by what Tom said, though the young man put all the force he could into his words. But Tom was observant. He noticed that the little look of worry did not leave the man’s face.
“I’ll make it so hot for you,” went on Tom, “that you’ll have to leave this part of the country. You’ll have to leave if you get the chance, and perhaps you won’t. My father and I will push this case to the end. I don’t know what your game is, but I can guess.”
“Well, since you can guess, perhaps you can guess what I’m going to do with you!” angrily interrupted the professor.