"On penalty of falling overboard accidentally."
"On penalty of what?" demanded Wilton, both puzzled and terrified by the mysterious words.
"Repeat the words after me. On penalty," said Shuffles, sternly.
"I know what the words are, but I'll be hanged if I will repeat them. 'Falling overboard accidentally!' What does that mean?"
"It means that, if you betray the secrets of The Chain, you might fall overboard accidentally, some day."
"That is, you would push me over when no one was looking," added Wilton, involuntarily retreating from the conspirator, whom, for the moment, he regarded as a very dangerous companion.
"That's what the words mean," replied Shuffles, coolly.
"Have I been toggled?" demanded Wilton.
"No; you didn't repeat all the words."
"Then you needn't toggle me any more. I've got enough of this thing."