“I told Charlie Swift to take you out of town. And why didn't you go?”
“He didn't—” And then Samuel stopped. He had promised to tell nothing about Charlie.
“Go on!” cried the chief.
“I—I can't tell,” he stammered.
“What?” exclaimed the other. “You want to hide things from me? Don't you suppose I know that he's still in town; and that you and him have been doin' jobs?”
“No—no!” cried Samuel in terror.
“You can't lie to me!” threatened the chief. “I know you, you young villain!”
He stood glaring at the boy for a few moments. “And you have the nerve to come here!” he cried. “What do you want anyway?”
“I—I want to hold a meeting, sir.”
“Who's given you a license to make trouble in this town?”