Yes, I did,” said Tony calmly. “It was the only way to keep you out of mischief.”
“Insolent puppy; if I only had my hands free I would strangle you both.”
“You hear what he says?” said Tony, turning to old Ben. “Are you in favor of untying him now?”
“No, no!” exclaimed Ben, trembling. “He is a dreadful man. Oh, why did he come here?”
“I came for your gold, you fool, and I’ll have it.”
“What shall I do?” asked the old man, wringing his hands in the excess of his terror.
Let me up, and I won’t hurt you.”
“Just now you said you would strangle the both of us, Rudolph.”
“I’ll strangle you, you cub, but I will do no harm to the old man.”
“Don’t you trust him, Mr. Hayden,” said Tony. “He will promise anything to get free, but he will forget all about it when he is unbound.”