“Of course I do,” smiled Tom. “Are you so slow-witted that it cost you all that money to find it out?”
“Confound you, I’ve a good mind to give you a good beating,” came tempestuously from the other’s lips.
“Try it,” again smiled Halstead, undauntedly.
“Then we can’t get you on our side?” demanded Rexford, his tone suddenly changing to one of imploring. Still smiling, Captain Tom shook his head. There was a quick step in the bushes behind him, and a sturdy pair of arms wound themselves about the young skipper, while Rexford leaped at him from in front.
“If we can’t count on Halstead,” declared a new voice, from the rear, “then we can’t let him get away from us, either—not when there are millions at stake!”
CHAPTER IV
TOM HALSTEAD’S FIGHT AGAINST ODDS
TOM’S sea-trained muscles could always be relied upon to stand him in good stead at need. He strove, now, like a young panther, to free himself. But this was a battle of one boy against two men, and one of the latter had the boy’s arms wrapped close to his body in a tight embrace.
There was a short, panting struggle, after which the young skipper was bent over. He lurched to the earth, face downward, while his yet unseen assailant fell heavily upon him.