“Hanybody would think as ’ow I were a cannibal, and you were in danger of being heaten hup,” came from the captive.
“You are worse than a cannibal so far as we are concerned,” said Linton. “You would not only destroy us, but you would destroy many others who are working for the good cause.”
“That’s werry strange,” muttered ’Awkins, shaking his head in a puzzled manner. “I never knew I were so hextremely dangerous.”
“Zat nevare fool us,” declared Durant. “You do ze treek well, but we know you are Orson Irons, ze great detective of Scotland Yard.”
Frank started so that he came near slipping and falling.
“Is it possible!” he panted. “And I thought him a rascal all along! I see through it all. He has been watching me. By Jove! he is a consummate actor, and he has nerve!”
’Awkins laughed.
“Supposing as ’ow I were what you say, gents, what would you do habout it?” he asked.
“Keel you!” snarled the Frenchman. “Keel you dead!”
“And do you fancy you would be able to escape the officers who know I came to this quarter to-night?” demanded the captive, now speaking without the least accent save that which is most natural and perfect in using the English language.