“How long do you think you can live without food?” was the next question.
Frank saw the meaning of the fellow in his angry eyes and dropped back into his chair. The boys in the next room were now talking excitedly, and some of the exclamations could be heard.
“If you don’t open the door we’ll break it down.”
That was Harry Stevens. The reply was too faint to be heard.
“What are you doing to Frank, anyway?”
That was Harry Stevens’ voice again. The question was immediately followed by a bang on the door.
“Keep back,” a voice said. “This gun is loaded.”
The situation was a serious one, and Frank blamed himself for getting into such a trap. If he had remained at the cottage, he thought, there would have been no immediate danger to his friends.
“Perhaps, after a week’s fast, you might have strength enough left to write such a communication to your father as I suggest?”
The manner was unbearable, the tone insulting, and Frank could hardly restrain himself from attacking the fellow.