“Hunger makes a lot of difference, Mr. Jukes,” smiled Broom.
“So you mean to starve us into submission, eh?” demanded Jack. “I don’t see how such rogues can exist. Judson, you are the worst young hound I ever heard of.”
In high rage the boy’s enemy stepped up to him and deliberately struck him a heavy blow in the face, which Jack was, of course, powerless to return.
“Yes, a cowardly trick like that is in perfect accordance with what I know of your nature,” said Jack with menacing quietness.
“You dare say that again,” screamed Donald, beside himself with anger, “just you dare and I’ll——” He ended with a shake of his fist.
“Oh, you can’t scare me, even if I am tied,” said Jack scornfully.
His perfect calmness added fuel to the fire of Judson’s rage.
“I’ll fix you,” he yelled, “I’ll——”
“Judson, be quiet,” ordered Broom, and the boy subsided. “Now,” went on the free-booter to Mr. Jukes, “your best plan, if you don’t want to lose a few pounds, will be to make out a check for that money. Of course, we’ll have to keep you here till it’s safely cashed, otherwise you might, and probably would, stop the check. But——”
“Don’t pay a cent, Mr. Jukes,” interrupted Jack.