The inventor, who was fast overcoming the effects of the drug, folded his arms defiantly, his captors having released him when the search was given up by the younger Pulsifer.
"Bind him!"
The command was snapped out by the elder of the brothers.
Instantly the three hired rascals who had held him before pounced on the inventor, and roped him tightly in the chair.
Resistance was useless, and the inventor submitted to the ordeal with an unflinching countenance.
"Now, then, Varian, have you changed your mind?"
"Not yet; and I never shall if you wish to know, Dave Pulsifer."
"Very well. We have tried fair means, now we'll adopt other tactics."
The Pulsifers whispered together a few minutes, and then the younger brother left the room.