It was a command.
“I will.”
Bertrand’s voice was hollow and listless.
“Now,” said Frank, turning to Bart, with a smile, “We’ll find out the real truth. He cannot lie to me if he wishes.”
“What in the name of all that’s wonderful have you done to him?” gasped the astounded fellow, approaching the table. “Have you——”
“Yes,” nodded Merry. “You remember the time he tried to stab me while intoxicated. I discovered then that I possessed this power over him. To-night I resolved to exercise it to make him speak the truth.”
Then he turned to Bertrand, while Bart looked on and listened expectantly:
“Defarge, do you regard Morgan as a friend?”
“No.”
“Do you like him?”