"You will then——"
The warden stepped forward.
"Pete," he said sharply. "Listen to me!"
Stern looked up in annoyance. The Waern boy had started to take the pen. Now, he stopped and jerked around.
"You will listen to nothing this man tells you," ordered the warden. "You will do nothing he asks. Do you understand that?"
The boy nodded. "Thanks, Don," he said. "He almost got me that time."
Stern glared angrily at the warden.
"You will go back to your place," he ordered. "Do not attempt to interfere again."
Incredulously, he watched as the warden shook his head.