"What about?" asked Hal, as coolly as he could.
"You know well enough, you miserable sneak!" hissed Hardwick. "Tell me at once all you know."
"Know about what?" asked Hal, trying to stand his ground.
Hardwick glared at him for an instant. He seemed to be in a fearful rage. Suddenly he caught Hal by the throat with one hand, and picked up a heavy brass-bound ruler with the other.
"Now, Carson, are you going to speak up or not?" he demanded.
CHAPTER XIII.
HAL SHOWS HIS METTLE.
Hal understood perfectly well that a crisis had come. Hardwick had him by the throat, and unless he acceded to the book-keeper's demand he would be in immediate danger of being choked to death.
"Let—let go of me," he gasped.