“Oh, well,” Max exclaimed, “if you don’t believe what I say, and won’t take advantage of the honest information I have given you, I may as well be on my way.”
He moved toward the gunwale of the boat, as he spoke and began untying the line which held his canoe to the Rambler. Case stepped forward and laid a detaining hand on his shoulder.
“Just a moment,” the boy said. “You are not going to leave the Rambler until my chums return, and perhaps not then.”
“Do you mean that you intend to keep me prisoner?” flashed Max.
“That is just exactly what I mean to do,” Case responded. “I don’t know what your object in coming here really is, for I believe that as a prevaricator, you have Ananias backed off the board. I dislike to use the shorter and uglier word, Max, but you certainly are the greatest liar I ever came across. You’ll stay here until we know more about you.”
“You’d better do a little thinking before you keep me here,” Max threatened. “You are making a lot of trouble for yourself.”
“I’ll have to risk that,” Case replied. “Have you got any weapons about your person? If you have, give them up.”
Max shook his head angrily.
“If I had had a weapon,” he declared, “you would have known all about it the minute you laid a hand on my shoulder.”
“Will you promise to remain on the boat without attempting to escape if I leave you your liberty?” Case asked.