"So that nobody can interrupt me while I am teaching you a lesson."
"I--I don't understand."
"You will understand when I begin to use this horsewhip."
Vernon grew white and trembled so that he could scarcely stand up.
"You won't dare to--to hit me," he faltered.
"Won't I? You just wait and see. Do you know that I could have you arrested for what you have done?"
"I deny doing anything."
"And I can prove what you have done. If it wasn't for that kind-hearted aunt of yours I would let you go to prison."
"Did Mrs. Vernon tell you what I--I mean did she accuse me?" ejaculated the young man, so astonished that he partly forgot himself.
"No, she hasn't told me anything that you may have written to her. My information came from an outside party who happened to be my friend. But your slip just now proves what my friend told me. You are a rascal, Vernon, but instead of having you locked up, I am, for your aunt's sake, going to take it out of your hide."