Then he banged the door shut, locked it, and walked swiftly away.
CHAPTER XXI
A GRAVE ACCUSATION
"Well, I suppose I ought not to complain," mused Pepper, as he sat down on one of the chairs. "A fellow can't have his fun without paying for it. But just wait till I catch Mumps! I'll give him a piece of my mind, and maybe more!"
He got up presently and looked out of the window. He could see but little excepting a stretch of snow. The cell-like room was almost without heat, and he had to clap his hands together, and stamp his feet, to keep warm.
"I think I'd give a dollar for some breakfast," he muttered. "Wonder if I could attract the attention of one of the servants and bribe him to get me something?"
As he walked around the little room his eyes caught some writing on the wall. There were several bits of doggerel, one running as follows:
| "I am a prisoner of old Josiah, |
| I'd feel much better if I had a fire!" |
"I can sympathize with that fellow," murmured Pepper, as he slapped his hands across his chest, trying to get up more circulation. Then he walked around the room, reading another doggerel or two. Finally he drew out a lead pencil.