He had suddenly become seized with a desire to prolong the talk with this little brown monster—to gain time!
"There was something that you could have done for me," replied Vicente Tomba.
The Tagalo, like others of his race, was not averse to talking, either. The little Filipino knew that he had the whole situation in his hands. With the cruelty of a cat, Tomba delighted in the feline pastime of playing with a victim that could not escape him.
"What did you want me to do?" Hal asked almost blandly.
"I wanted your services."
"Yes, but what kind of services?"
"What is the use of telling you—now?"
"Tell me one thing, though, Tomba."
"Why?"
"Just to gratify my curiosity," explained Sergeant Hal, and he spoke slowly while his eyes watched those of the Filipino. "Did you want me to betray my Flag?"