“But you stuck it out?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And then what?”
“When my time was up with him I told him I was going to leave and go home. But he said I couldn’t. Said I’d signed articles for two years, and if I tried to get away he’d flog me.”
“Did you try?”
“Yes, sir, about three weeks ago. But he caught me.”
“Did he flog you?”
The boy shivered and nodded.
“Bu-bu-brute!” growled Tom.
“And you say you never signed anything?”