“Bring him along, Jemmy,” he said. “His dinner’s ready.”

“Shall I carry him, lad?”

“Look here,” cried Archy haughtily. “You two are, I suppose, quite ignorant of the consequences of keeping me here?”

“What’s he talking about, Jemmy?” said Ram.

“Dunno, lad: something ’bout consequences.”

“As soon as it is known that you have seized and kept me here, you will both be arrested, and have to suffer a long term of imprisonment, even if you get no worse off.”

“But suppose no one knows you are here?” said Ram.

“But it will be known, so I give you both fair warning.”

“Thank ye,” said Ram mockingly.

“And thank ye for me too, my lad.”