“I only wish I could have you standing up and lying down too,” cried Vane, “or that it wasn’t cowardly to punch your wretched heads now you are down.”
There was another pause, during which the lowermost boy began to groan, but he ceased upon Vane giving a fresh bump.
“I shall be obliged now, Mr Lee,” said Distin, quickly, “by your helping to tie those two scoundrels.”
“No more a scoundrel than you are,” said the lowermost boy fiercely; and Vane gave another bump.
“Don’t hurt him,” said Distin. “He only spoke the truth. Come, let’s turn this one over.”
Vane did not stir, but sat staring hard in Distin’s face.
“Look here,” he said at last; “you mean what you say about the police and Mr Syme?”
“Yes, of course.”
“And you understand what will follow?”
Distin bowed as he drew his breath hard through his teeth.