“Don’t be funny, Pop,” warned John, assuming a threatening attitude. “Tell me what it means and be quick about it.”
“You swear you don’t know?”
“You heard what I said, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” grinned Pop, “but you know I don’t believe half what you say.”
“Throw him overboard, String,” urged Fred. “Don’t fool with him any longer.”
“That’s just about what I had decided to do,” said John.
“Wait,” cried Pop, stepping forward and holding up his hand dramatically. “Spare my life and I will tell all.”
“Be quick about it then,” warned John. “I shan’t fool with you much longer.”
“I know it,” said Pop, pretending to be greatly alarmed. “I know it, String, and I must say I am awfully frightened.”
John stepped forward and raised his hands as if he was about to seize George W. Sanders by the neck. He had no opportunity to do so, however.