"No," answered Grif, shortly.
"Where have they gone to, him and his wife?" asked Jim. "Tell me any lies, and I'll break your neck for you. Here, clean my boots." Jim bade him do this, for he was fearful of attracting attention.
Grif would have liked to refuse; but he felt that to do so would be a clear infraction of his promise to Alice.
"How should I know where they are?" exclaimed Grif, brushing at Jim's boots.
"You were there last night, and they were there last night. You and the girl have been together lot a of times, and you know well enough where they're gone to. You're a pet of hers, I'm told."
"She's been very good to me, Ally has," said Grif, gently. "And because o' that, you don't think I'd let on where they are, do you? You don't think I'd let on, if I know, do you? No, I'd have my tongue cut out first."
"I'll tear it out and pitch it down your throat, if you talk to us like that," said the Oysterman, fiercely.
"Will you?" said Grif, standing up. "Or you'll pizen me, the same as you pizened my dawg! You'd like to, wouldn't you? And because o' that, if I didn't have no other reason, I wouldn't tell you where Dick Handfield is, if I knew where you could put your hands on him this minute. There!"
"You won't tell us?" asked Jim.
"No," answered Grif, bravely.