“Are you sure they have bit you?” said he, uneasily.
“Look! see!” replied Herbert, holding out the worst mutilated boot. He fully believed he had been bitten, though, as a matter of fact, he had not.
The old fence became alarmed, fearing the annoyance and possible danger that might follow; but when he had satisfied himself by a careful examination that young Randolph had sustained no injuries, he speedily changed back to his old hard manner again—a cold, cruel manner that showed no mercy.
Herbert begged to be released from his prison pen, but his pleadings were of no avail.
“Why are you treating me in this inhuman way?” asked he. “What have I done that I should be shut up here by you?”
Old Gunwagner looked hard at him, but made no reply.
“I know why it is,” continued our hero, growing bold and defiant when he saw it was useless to plead for kindness; “I can see through the whole scheme now; but you mark my words, old man, you will suffer for this cruelty, and so will your friend Felix Mortimer.”
These words came from the lips of the young prisoner with such terrible emphasis that old Gunwagner, hardened as he was in sin, grew pale, and trembled visibly for his own safety.