“You must go with me.”
“Lead on, then. I’ll follow.”
“I must adopt a little prudential measure first, Harry, take these handcuffs.”
Harry stepped forward and received them from the officer.
“Hold out your hands”—this was said to Temple—“and let this boy put on the handcuffs.”
“I’ll kill him before I’ll allow him to do it!” exclaimed Temple, violently.
“I don’t think you will, or even make the attempt,” said the officer, quietly. “You forget that I hold your life in my hands,” and he made a slight motion with the revolver.
“You wouldn’t dare to shoot?”
“If you should prove to be mistaken, it would be a serious mistake,” said the officer, quietly.
It was his very quietness and freedom from excitement that daunted Temple.