Mr. Patterson made as if to move, then checked himself. Rodney asked:
"What were you going to do?"
"If you don't go back to the other end of the carriage at once I'll pull the communication cord and stop the train."
"And then?"
"I'll give you into custody before the whole trainful of passengers."
"Into whose custody?"
"The guard will take charge of you till we get to a station; he won't let you go till he has seen you safe in the hands of a policeman. You won't have a chance of running; you'll sleep in gaol tonight. Are you going back to your own seat?"
"I propose to remain where I am."
"Then I'll stop the train!"
He made as if to do as he said, but Rodney, rising first, laid his hand upon his shoulder to such effect that he found himself unable to move. Indignation brought back the purple to Mr. Patterson's face.