“He’d probably dump ’em overboard before they got to China at all,” declared Redhead smugly. “Li Chang doesn’t like to feed passengers if they can be got rid of.”
“So much the better. We won’t be responsible.”
“Leave it to Li Chang. The old villain would just like to have three white men in his power. He’ll attend to them.”
Snackley reached over and picked up the document from the floor, where it had fallen in the struggle. He glanced at it and then tore it into pieces.
“We won’t need this. You’ve lost your chance, Hardy. If you had signed it you would have been free by now. But you’ll never be free—not with three of you knowing our secret. It’s too risky. You’ll all be turned over to Li Chang. He brought in a little cargo this week and his ship is to sail in the morning. You will go with him.”
Fenton Hardy was silent. He had resolved not to plead for his own safety.
“Well,” said Snackley, “haven’t you anything to say?”
“Nothing. Do as you wish with me. But let the boys go.”
“We’ll stick with you, dad,” said Frank quickly.
“We sure will!” added Joe.