“A monstrous outrage!” said Slocum. “But what have the villains against you?”
“I’d like to know that myself,” said Martin, cautiously.
“You were passing up from the waterside, no doubt?” said Slocum.
“No; I was going the other way.”
“Strange coincidence! You saw the ruffians attack me?”
“No, I did not.”
Martin’s answers were short. He guessed that the object of Slocum’s questions were to ascertain how much he knew, and though he had been almost taken in by Slocum’s manner, he now suspected that his surprise had been feigned, and that he was playing a part.
“Well, it is a gross attack on our personal liberty,” Slocum continued; “and I won’t stand it!”
He rose with an air of grim determination, and hammered sharply on the door. The man with the scar entered.
“Enough of this foolery!” said Slocum, elbowing the man from the doorway. “Let me out, fellow. I warn you that you are incurring punishment of the highest severity in holding two citizens in durance!”