“Never mind that now,” said the uninvited guest, as his dark eyes were steadily fixed on Chester. “I want you to give your captain immediate orders to run back to the wharf!”
“Hanged if I do!”[do!”]
“But you will!”
“I won’t!”
Another step Dick took, and this brought him into the cabin, where the light was full and fair upon his face. In his dark eyes there was a strange magnetic power which Arlington felt. Chester experienced a queer thrill and gazed in fascination at those intense eyes. Dick lifted his hand and seemed by some marvelous power to keep Chet’s gaze steady and unmoved.
The two girls looked on in awe, feeling that between these lads there was now a mighty battle of minds. Arlington felt that his own determination was weakening and surrendering. He struggled to the last, but was not equal to the conflict.
Finally Dick spoke once more, and to Chester it seemed that the words he uttered came from a great distance.
“Chester Arlington, a week ago you told Doris Templeton something about me. Did you tell her the truth, or did you lie?”
“I lied!” was the whispered reply.
“Now,” said Dick, stepping forward and taking Chester’s arm, “we will go and tell the captain to put back to the wharf.”