"Go back, boys!"
So he implored them.
"And furthermore, do not reveal your identity," I sternly ordered him.
The gang halted in surprise.
They were stumped by his pleading with them not to make any attempt at rescuing him.
"What in thunder did you give the secret cry for, then?" demanded a gruff and angry voice. "Who are you, anyhow? Give your number."
"Do it at your peril!" I hissed in Stanton's ear.
He understood the significance of the slightly harder pressure of the deadly weapon against his temple.
I grimly maintained silence, save when I whispered a few threatening words in the ear of the false detective.
It was a moment of quiet, yet intense excitement.