“What! You dare refuse me?”
“I feel that I must.”
“Then you know some of the guilty ones?” and the old officer leered up into Tom’s face.
“I refuse to answer that also.”
“It won’t do you any good. I have positive information that you know the guilty ones, and I demand that you give me their names!”
“And I, much as I regret it, respectfully refuse,” said Tom, firmly.
“Then I’ll make you tell!” declared the captain in angry passion.
Tom felt that he was in trouble.
For a moment or two the man who had so benefited by Tom’s father’s money—legally or illegally—seemed to be considering the case. Then, he appeared to make up his mind.
“Six hours of guard duty as a starter!” he snapped. “If that doesn’t bring you to your senses I’ll try something else. If you want to tell,” he went on, in a wheedling tone, “I will be in a position to get you some special privileges. Perhaps even a furlough.”