“And who are you?” asked the madman.
“William Lawrence.”
“Why did you two come here?” the demon asked abruptly.
This was an unexpected question; Will was not prepared to answer it. “To see the cave,” he said at last.
“Did you two come alone, or is some one else lurking near?”
“No, sir; we came entirely alone.”
“That is well. You did not come to do me any harm?”
Will thought he could safely say “no” to that.
After a pause the demon said slowly, as though he had settled it in his own mind: “You are a good little boy. I like you; you must stay with me; I want a fine little fellow like you to be with me all the time.”
Will was struck dumb with consternation. He could not appreciate the compliment thus paid him.