“Study things out as much as you like, stranger. You’ll never have a chance to tell outsiders how we look or live.”
“What do you mean?” said Mainwaring, in surprise. “You are going to release me if the ransom is paid, aren’t you? That was our bargain.”
“Yes—but we shan’t let you go till the money is paid over. And even then, before we let you leave, you’ll have to swear by an oath that you dare not break never to expose what you have seen here. We’ve got snug quarters here, and we intend to keep them.”
“If I gave you my promise to keep anything secret it would be as good as any oath,” replied Mainwaring, looking the chief straight in the eye.
“Yes, you look honest,” muttered Harkness. “Too honest for this crowd, I reckon. But for all that you’ll have to take the oath. I would be willing to let you go without it, but the men wouldn’t. They wouldn’t trust you or anybody on his bare word.”
Mainwaring had now finished eating, and he asked if there was any objection to his smoking.
“None at all. Eat, drink, and smoke when you feel like it. If you are sleepy, there are blankets for you. But mark me—you must not do any cruising about! If you go over where the horses are, you’ll get a dose of lead through your carcass!
“You can go one hundred yards up this avenue here, but no farther than that. If you go to where a light burns beyond that point you’ll be dropped dead in your tracks. We’ve got rules for our prisoners, and they have to be obeyed.”
“I shall not break them,” said Mainwaring. “It would be foolish. I’m not going to throw away my life while I feel responsible for looking after those girls. You need not be afraid.”