“I wish I only had the luck to be one of his best friends at this particular moment,” sighed Roger, trembling.
“But you see,” said the chief, “I am not cruel, or I would have hanged you all without giving a moment’s warning.”
“Cursed perlite!” said Tim, under his breath.
“And, to show you that I am not as bad as people say I am, I’ll give you all a chance as to who dies first, provided——”
“What?” gasped several, eagerly.
“You will answer me one question.”
“What is it, oh, most mighty and merciful skeleton?” sighed Roger. “What is it?”
“Who considers himself to be the greatest rogue among you all?” asked the chief. “Be careful how you answer.”
A long, solemn and awful pause followed this ominous and all-important question.
The grim chief need not have warned them to be careful.