“Is this the truth?” demanded David.
“I swear it,” groaned Cram. “God’s own truth!”
“You will have to pay for this, Cram,” said David, tightening his grasp on Cram’s arm. “You will do just what I say. If you don’t, I shall make you wish that you were dead.” Anger rose in him again. “You poor thieving cur, you! I ought to—”
“Oh, don’t, David, don’t! I can’t stand any more! I’ll do anything you say, only take me down from this place.”
David stooped, opened the trap, and still keeping a hand on his shoulder, shoved Wally down the ladder, along the catwalk, down the rear ladder into the passage that led into the cabins and the salon. The sound of voices came to them. Everyone was at dinner.
David pushed his prisoner into Doctor Trigg’s room. The awakened love birds scolded softly as Cram felt under the floor of the cage. It stood on the table on four short brass legs. He fumbled a moment, then thrust something into David’s hand. It was the missing envelope. David glanced inside. The papers were undisturbed.
“Come on,” he said grimly.
He shoved Cram before him into the salon, and stopped. Everyone looked up. There was a silence. He held up the envelope, and at the same time pushed Cram forward.
“This man has something to say to you,” he said.