"You are welcome to any token I received," Ellerey answered.
"Give it me, then."
"Because I received none," Ellerey added.
"That's a lie," said one man.
"It is well for you that I am bound hand and foot," said Ellerey quietly. "If I remember your face, I may ask you to repeat that some day."
"I ask you again to give me the token you received to-night. Once it is in my hands, you are free to depart," said the spokesman.
"And I repeat that I received no token to-night," answered Ellerey.
"Search him!" cried several voices, and at a gesture from their leader, they fell on their knees beside him.
It was rough handling Ellerey received for the next few minutes. His coat was torn open; rough hands were thrust into his pockets, and even his under-garments were rent apart lest by any means he should have secured the token next his skin.
"There is nothing," they said, rising to their feet one by one. The last man knelt a moment longer, and turned an evil eye toward his chief.