"Den do wat I tell. Go in dere!" And Renard pointed a crooked forefinger at the window. "Queek, queek!" added he, as Phil did not stir, "or you weel be sorry." And a threatening look in the man's dark, evil face gave emphasis to his words.
Tad held his breath with a strange, mingled feeling of horror, wonder, and admiration, as he saw his little companion draw himself up, and look straight and unfaltering into Foxy's green eyes. Another moment, and the childish voice said firmly:
"No, master, I will not go."
"Wat is dat you say? You weel not?" said Foxy in an angry whisper. "But wait a leetle, it am you dat shall pay later, when old Renard give you de steek." Then he turned to Tad and said: "You did hear me wat I say to Philipe; well now I tell you same. Go you in dere and open to us, Edouard."
Tad met his cruel master's wicked, green eyes, then glanced at Paul and Jean, who were impatiently waiting. The lad's courage was a poor one at best, and though he well knew that the crime of burglary was intended, and that he was required to help the burglars, he would never have found strength to withstand the pressure put upon him, had not Phil just at that moment laid his little, frail hand on his friend's shoulder and said:
"Brave it out, Tad! Don't give in!" And then Tad heard the boy add under his breath: "O Lord, please help us, and save us from being wicked."
"Wed you go in dere?" hissed Foxy again.
"Will I?" repeated Tad, shamed out of his cowardice by Phil's example. "Will I, master? No, then—I just won't, so there!"
[CHAPTER XI]
GOOD-BYE TO FOXY