Then he carefully looked all round the place, which was soon done, and the fellow turned to him menacingly:
“Now then,” he cried, “just you speak out, or it will be the worse for you. Where’s that cutlass?”
Hilary looked at him mockingly.
“I’ll tell you the strict truth,” he thought; and he replied, “I dropped it out of the window.”
“It’s a lie,” cried the ruffian savagely; “I don’t believe you.”
“I knew you would not,” said Hilary laughing. “Where is it then?”
“I swallowed it.”
“What!” said the fellow staring.
“Hilt and all if you like. Now, do you believe that?” The man stared at him.
“Because you would not believe the truth, so there’s what you asked for—a lie.”