“I know more than you think I do, Noddy,” said Mr. Newton, coolly.
“Well, you didn’t play this trick right,” sneered Noddy. “We haven’t opened that envelope, but we know it doesn’t contain the agreement we want and intend to have. To prove you that, I’ll tear it up without opening it.”
This he did, throwing the pieces into a coal box that stood in a far corner of the apartment.
“In the next place,” went on Noddy, “you’ve gone a little too far in following our messenger here. We expected you would do so, however, and made our plans accordingly. Now you’re here you may have to stay longer than you counted on.”
“I guess not,” remarked Mr. Newton, speaking as lightly as he could, though he confessed afterward he felt no little alarm. “Remember, we’re in New York.”
“No! We’re not in New York! We’re in Chinatown, and that makes all the difference in the world!” exclaimed Noddy. “Get the cords, Ned!”
The tallest of the four men rose, and went to a closet. He came back quickly with a long, thin, but very stout rope under his arm.
“Fasten him up now!” commanded Noddy.
“Not without a fight!” exclaimed Mr. Newton. He backed into a corner, and stood ready to defend himself. He caught sight of an iron poker near the coal-box, and grabbed it up.
“There’s going to be some broken heads if you touch me!” the reporter cried.