When the stars went, and the boy could see again, he gazed in fear at the thin-lipped man, who was now smiling a horrible smile.
“I think you will talk now?” he said to Fatty. “I can do other things if you prefer.”
Fatty was very frightened now. He felt that he would rather give away the whale mystery than have any more blows. After all, he wouldn’t be harming the other Find-Outers, and he knew they would be only too glad for him to save himself from harm or injury. This was just very, very bad luck.
“All right. I’ll talk,” said Fatty, with a gulp. “There’s not much to tell you, though.”
“How did you find out this room?” demanded the red-faced man.
“By accident,” said Fatty. “A friend of mine climbed that tree outside, and looked in and saw this room.”
“How many know about it?” rapped out the thin-lipped man.
“Only me and the other Find-Outers,” said Patty.
“The other what?” said the man, puzzled.
Fatty explained. The men listened.