This time the fellow was frightened. How could he be sure that this detective was not trying to entrap him? How could he know positively that he had not been accused by some pal who wished to shift responsibility from himself to another? This is the Damocles sword that ever hangs over the head of the wrong-doer. His most chosen companions may either tell of what he has done, or accuse him of crime which he has not committed.
"I am afraid so. But what are you worrying over? Did I not tell you that you are not in it? Listen to me, Joe. This Jerry Morgan has skipped out of town, and it looks as though he took Tommy White's girl Nellie with him. Now, where is Tommy White?"
"I don't know a thing. I swear I don't."
"Yes, you do. You do not know what has become of him, but you know something. Morgan isn't any pal of yours, is he?"
"No."
"Very well. Then why not tell me what you know? If he has done anything to White, he ought not to go free, ought he? You do not stand in with murder, do you?"
"No, I don't. But how do I know there's been any murder?"
"You don't know it, but since I suggested it to you, you think so. I see that in your face. Now, what do you know?"
"Well, I don't know much, but what I know I don't want used to make another fellow go to the chair."
"That is no affair of yours. You are not responsible for what the law does. Come, I have no more time to waste. Tell me what you know, or say right out that you will not. Then I will know what to do."