Frank tore the book to pieces and flung the fragments out one of the windows, after which he turned to the man and said:
“Your treachery shall be severely punished, sir.”
“But I’m a maniac!” protested the fellow, in a vain attempt to convince them that he was not accountable for his actions. “I’m covered with snakes! Take ‘em off! Don’t you see ‘em squirming?”
Frank caught him by the neck, interrupting him.
“That will do!” he cried, angrily. “Insane people don’t usually do such very practical and profitable things as you have done. Consider yourself my prisoner, sir.”
“I’ll be hanged if I will!”
“You can’t escape from here.”
“I can’t, eh? Well, I’ll own the engine!”
As he said this a desperate light leaped into his eyes and he pulled a knife from his breast-pocket.
Making a rush at Frank he aimed a stab at him, which the young inventor barely had time to avoid by stepping back.