"If we make any noise, all hands will be fired out."
"Watch an' see how quiet I'll be," Master Dean replied, and then before his companion could check him, he had leaned over and whispered in Sam's ear: "Be mighty careful you tell the truth in this court, or I'll let out to the judge what you did in Philadelphy, an' then perhaps Jip Collins won't be the only prisoner 'round here."
Master Barney turned quickly, and an expression of disquiet came over his face as he saw who were directly behind him.
He did not venture to make any remark, nor did Bill think it wise to repeat the threat; but he shook his fist warningly, which served the same purpose.
"Be quiet," Seth whispered imploringly. "It would be terrible if we got into a row here, for Mr. Davis is standing close by the door watchin' us."
"I won't do a thing till we get outside, unless it happens that I have to tell the judge 'bout Sam's borrowin' that money," Master Dean replied in a tone sufficiently loud to be heard by the alleged detective.
Then the attention of all the sidewalk merchants was attracted to the opposite side of the room by Dan Roberts, who whispered loudly, pointing with outstretched finger:
"There he is! There's Jip!"
The prisoner was being led in by a burly policeman, who kept a firm hold on the boy's collar as if fearful he might make some desperate attempt at escape, and there was not a person in the court-room, with the probable exception of Sam Barney, who failed to feel a certain sympathy for the frightened lad.
"That's his lawyer—the little feller with the big nose," Dan whispered so loudly that not only his friends in the immediate vicinity, but all the attorneys within the enclosure, set apart for their especial use, heard the words, and much merriment ensued, during which the cause of it looked around in surprise, unable to discover the meaning of it.