“Easy,” said the second individual. “What are you trying to do to him? He’s only a boy.”
“I didn’t mean any harm,” growled the other.
“Now look here,” began the man who had pleaded for gentler treatment, turning toward Larry, “we’re going to take that gag out of your mouth. But mind you if you holler or make a fuss we’ll put it in again. Will you promise?”
Larry would have done almost anything in reason to get rid of the rag that was nearly choking him, so he nodded an assent.
“That’s the way to behave,” said the man, evidently pleased. “We’ll be as decent as we can with you, even though the boss did say to give you all you deserved.”
He removed the gag, and Larry breathed a long breath of relief. At the same time he wondered what the man meant by saying he was to be given all he deserved.
What did he deserve, anyhow? And who would want to harm him? It was too much for Larry. He began to think it was all a bad dream and that he would presently wake up and start for the office.
“It won’t do you much good if you do holler,” the man went on. “There’s no one in this old factory and there’s not a house within half a mile. So if you want to use your lungs, why, go ahead.”
Larry’s mouth was sore and stiff from the gag. His lips were swollen and he could hardly speak. Yet he wanted to question the men.
“Why have you brought me here? What do you want? I never did anything to you,” he said brokenly.