“Ye-e-es! You’ve hit it. I won’t try to deny it.”
“And Ralph Tryon is responsible for it?”
“Take care, Percy! Don’t ask too much about him!”
“You can answer that. Is not he the chief power in this business? Was it not through his influence that the wicked trade was entered upon?”
“Through his and the rest of the gang.”
“But he was the chief?”
“Yes, I s’pose he was.”
“Now, Donald, how far has this thing gone? Have you taken human life?”
“For the love of heaven!” groaned the suffering old man, with his clasped hands extended, “don’t ask me any more. Let the one thing I’m goin’ to tell ye of my own free will satisfy ye. And, mind this, ye’ll keep what I now say a secret. Will ye promise that?”
The youth promised, and the other went on, speaking in low, whispered tones, and ever and anon casting a quick, furtive glance around.